ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Sunday strongly rejected the federal government’s decision to impose emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, calling it an “extremely alarming and grave political mistake” and an undemocratic move.
In a statement, he said the party strongly condemned the imposition of emergency in the province and outrightly rejected the decision. He warned that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would not accept any measure that undermined their constitutional rights.
Barrister Gohar said the people of the province had a constitutional and legal right to their electoral mandate. He added that peace and stability could not be achieved by disregarding that mandate, weakening provincial autonomy or creating confrontation between the federation and the province.
He said there was no disagreement over the need to eliminate terrorism, but the fight against it should not be used to suppress public voices, pursue political objectives or curtail the province’s constitutional authority. “Terrorism can only be combated through national unity and a joint strategy,” he said.
The PTI chairman stressed that a strong federation could not be built by weakening the provinces. He said political problems should be resolved through political wisdom and meaningful dialogue rather than force, confrontation or extraordinary measures.
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Barrister Gohar urged the federal government to reconsider its decision, saying it could still be reversed within a few days. He called on the Centre to set aside its ego, recognise ground realities, accept legitimate demands and respect public sentiment to prevent further political and economic damage.
He said the party would raise its voice at all constitutional, legal and democratic forums to protect the people’s mandate, provincial autonomy and democratic rights.
