Shehbaz summons emergency meeting on KP security, options: PM

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has summoned a high-level conference to examine the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where the possible imposition of Governor’s rule or emergency is likely to be among the possibilities to be discussed.

Sources said the meeting will be conducted at the Prime Minister’s House and attended by important federal ministries and senior officials of the Ministry of Interior. Ministry officials will inform participants on the security situation in the province.

The conference will take stock of the overall situation in KP, public safety and law and order while different constitutional alternatives like installation of emergency and governor’s rule are likely to be considered.

The discussion could lead to a decision to declare a state of emergency in the province, sources added. Assuming the plan gets approval, the issue will be presented before the federal cabinet for its consideration and the prime minister is anticipated to call a meeting of the cabinet.

Sources indicated earlier that a plan was under discussion to declare an emergency in 12 districts, including merging districts of erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

Proposals also include shifting some critical authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the federal government. Sources stated portions of the Constitution from Articles 232 to 234 of the Constitution could be considered before any big decision is taken.

The meeting will also consider reports submitted by national security institutions. The administration is anticipated to examine ideas for the federal government to take on further authorities in relation to the security situation in the province.