Pakistan suspends provincial government as Imran Khan’s party accuses coup.

Pakistan declared a state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday and suspended the provincial government, a move that immediately intensified a political standoff with Imran Khan’s PTI party.

President Asif Ali Zardari announced the decision following a cabinet meeting and on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Federal authorities cited the provincial leadership’s inability to curb Islamist militancy along the Afghanistan border as the primary reason for the takeover.

PTI officials condemned the action as a political maneuver to prevent planned demonstrations. Khan’s aide and party spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari called the emergency “more of a coup disguised as emergency,” warning that it would fuel instability and was designed to stop activists from marching on Islamabad.

Security forces have already moved to limit protest activity. Authorities detained hundreds of PTI supporters and three of Khan’s sisters before the group could assemble. The interior ministry confirmed plans to deploy troops to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while a new federal governor will take charge for an initial six-month period that can be extended.

The government argues that security forces and civilians have faced sustained attacks for two years. Federal officials and the military have accused PTI of failing to control militant operations, a charge the party rejects. PTI officials say they have not received the necessary funding or equipment to combat the threat. Islamabad also accuses Afghanistan of harboring militants who launch cross-border attacks and claims PTI sympathizes with the Taliban. Both Kabul and the PTI deny these allegations.

The emergency declaration comes amid broader political friction. PTI-backed candidates won the most seats in the 2024 election but currently only hold power in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Khan supporters claim the military manipulated the vote, an accusation the armed forces deny. Meanwhile, the 74-year-old former prime minister remains in prison facing multiple convictions, though all but one have been suspended or overturned pending appeal. Khan continues to deny any wrongdoing.

Political opposition has also spoken out against the takeover. JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who has been mediating between the government and PTI, condemned the decision. “Imposition of emergency is an ambush on democracy,” Rehman said. In response, the federal government has deployed tens of thousands of security officers across Islamabad and placed containers along major routes to restrict access to parliament.