Story perspectives

Zardari Declares Emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Detains PTI

By Drooid · Oct 12, 2026, 10:25 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

President Asif Ali Zardari imposed emergency rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advised the emergency, saying the provincial government failed to curb militancy.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said a governor and an 11-member advisory council will run the province.
Authorities detained three of Imran Khan’s sisters, chief minister Sohail Afridi and hundreds of PTI activists.

History

Historical Context

Pakistan’s 1999 coup, when General Pervez Musharraf seized power on 12 October, declared a state of emergency on 14 October and suspended the constitution, was later validated by the Supreme Court for only three years. The current emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, imposed by President Asif Ali Zardari and backed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, echoes that precedent, raising fears of renewed central control and judicial challenges.

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Story summary

President Asif Ali Zardari imposed emergency rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advised the emergency, saying the provincial government failed to curb militancy.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said a governor and an 11-member advisory council will run the province.
Authorities detained three of Imran Khan’s sisters, chief minister Sohail Afridi and hundreds of PTI activists.

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