PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has challenged the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the Peshawar High Court, seeking the restoration of the elected provincial government.
The emergency was imposed on October 11 after President Asif Ali Zardari approved the move on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution.
The federal government cited the province’s deteriorating security situation and concerns over counterterrorism efforts. The Imran Khan-founded PTI, which leads the provincial government, has opposed the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule.
Following the decision, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi was assigned responsibility for provincial affairs.
Under the new arrangement, he exercises the provincial government’s functions on behalf of the federation with the assistance of an 11-member advisory council, while Parliament exercises the legislative powers of the provincial assembly.
Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the arrangement would initially remain in place for six months.
The move was followed by the detention of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and some provincial cabinet members on Sunday.
On Monday, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry confirmed their preventive custody, telling media that those facing cases would be charged and tried, while the others would be released. –Agencies
