Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has firmly rejected claims that an elected government was removed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Speaking at a media briefing in Islamabad alongside Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, he clarified that the imposition of governor’s rule and emergency did not amount to overthrowing any elected setup.
Tarar explained that the Constitution clearly allows the federal government, the prime minister, and the president to take such steps when circumstances demand it. He pointed out that the measures were introduced under Articles 232 and 234. According to him, the Constitution remains the core document that guides how the system of government should respond in difficult situations.
The decision followed President Asif Ali Zardari’s proclamation of emergency and governor’s rule on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Officials cited the province’s worsening security situation, rising terrorism incidents, and reports from relevant institutions. The law minister stressed that Pakistan has faced terrorism for decades and that the problem has grown more serious in KP in recent years. He said various government bodies shared detailed data with the federal government, which was carefully reviewed at the Prime Minister’s Office before any action was taken.
Tarar strongly dismissed suggestions that the move was politically motivated. He argued that if political goals had been the real aim, such steps could have been taken much earlier. The focus, he insisted, remained solely on addressing the security crisis.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar added that the federal government made repeated efforts to reach an agreement with PTI and the provincial leadership on a joint counterterrorism strategy. He claimed the then chief minister rejected the proposed arrangement. The federal side wanted a single, united policy against terrorism rather than two conflicting approaches. Tarar noted that high-level committee meetings under the National Action Plan were not held regularly in the province, creating a clear gap between federal and provincial efforts.
He expressed concern that the previous provincial setup showed limited interest in tackling terrorism and alleged that in some southern districts, militants had gained informal influence. The ministers emphasized that Pakistan cannot afford separate policies on such a critical national issue.
