Pakistan’s federal government has detained hundreds of politicians affiliated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by former prime minister Imran Khan, following the declaration of a state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The emergency rule, announced on Sunday by President Arif Alvi, also involved the suspension of the provincial government led by Khan’s ally, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
The move came amid escalating tensions between Khan’s party and the federal government headed by Asif Ali Zardari, which cited the provincial administration’s failure to address rising Islamist militancy along the Afghanistan border as justification for the emergency measures. The military and federal authorities allege that PTI has not effectively countered militant attacks, a charge the party denies.
Talal Chaudhry, a government minister, confirmed the detention of Afridi and several cabinet members on Sunday at the chief minister’s residence in Peshawar, the provincial capital. He indicated that those with pending legal cases would be formally charged and tried, while others could be released. Witnesses and officials reported a significant security buildup around key locations in Peshawar, including police, paramilitary forces, and shipping containers used to restrict movement.
The announcement followed a week of protests in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, during which PTI supporters had mobilized with the intention of marching to Islamabad to demand Khan’s release and access to medical treatment. In response, numerous PTI activists, including Khan’s three sisters, were detained ahead of the planned march.
Shaukat Yousafzai, an aide of Khan, condemned the arrests and called for the immediate release of the detained politicians. PTI’s party leadership has linked the federal government’s actions to a strategy aimed at discouraging political demonstrations supportive of the former prime minister.
Pakistan’s constitution grants the federal government authority to impose emergency rule and override provincial governments under certain circumstances. Following the president’s order, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar stated that a provincial governor would assume administrative control in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the emergency.
Efforts to negotiate between Zardari’s government and PTI had occurred over recent weeks since the march was announced. Tarar indicated that the federal side was willing to meet all PTI demands, including allowing the protest, provided the party publicly denounce militancy and cooperate in combating militant groups. He said talks collapsed after PTI declined these terms.
The recent state of emergency and mass detentions mark a significant intensification in the ongoing power struggle between Pakistan’s civilian leadership, the military, and Imran Khan’s political faction. Khan’s arrest earlier this year had triggered nationwide violent protests, including attacks on military installations, escalating political instability in the country.