Coalition partners back emergency across KP: Tariq Fazal

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Chaudhry says KP emergency to remain until anti-terrorism targets met

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said on Sunday that the emergency has been imposed across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with all coalition partners on board.

Speaking on Samaa TV programme ‘Do Tok with Kiran Naz’, Chaudhry said that the governor’s rule lasted two months and could be extended twice, taking the total period to six months. An emergency, however, remained in force indefinitely until the objectives for which it was imposed had been achieved.

Chaudhry said that there are reports that CM Afridi is in protective custody, but he cannot confirm them.

He said the emergency had been imposed to restore peace and end terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding that the government was working to achieve its targets as soon as possible.

The decision had been under discussion for two to three weeks, rather than just a few days, he said. The provincial government had repeatedly been told to fulfil its responsibilities.

Chaudhry said the fight against terrorism required the cooperation of security forces and the civil administration, adding that success was not possible without the latter’s support. He claimed that the chief minister was living in an area where he had to pay extortion money.

He said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif did not make any decision without consulting Nawaz Sharif. After Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said there had been no positive response, action was initiated, he added.

All coalition partners supported the decision, Chaudhry said. It had been decided that powers would be given to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor. No one had raised objections to Faisal Karim, so no alternative name was proposed.

The minister said the emergency covered the entire province, while special arrangements had been made for 12 severely affected districts. District administrators could also report directly to the federal government.

He said peace had been restored in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following the imposition of the emergency and that there would be no unnecessary arrests. Those wanted in registered first information reports (FIRs) would be dealt with separately, as their cases were unrelated to the emergency.

Chaudhry criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), saying the party did not engage in serious politics and that its own members were tired of its political approach. He added that more than half of PTI’s members of the provincial assembly would not resign.

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