The federal government on Wednesday tabled a resolution in the National Assembly (NA) seeking parliamentary approval of President Asif Ali Zardari's proclamation of emergency in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) under Article 232 of the Constitution. The developments emerged after the federal government imposed emergency and governor's rule in K-P on October 11, suspending the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial administration amid a dispute over the province's security situation and counter-terrorism measures. The government has defended the move, citing a deterioration in law and order and an alleged failure by the provincial administration to coordinate counter-terrorism efforts with federal authorities. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry presented the resolution today before the House. During the proceedings, Chaudhry moved a separate motion seeking the suspension of Question Hour to allow the House to take up other parliamentary business. Opposition lawmakers opposed the motion, but it was adopted by a majority vote. Speaking during the session, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the Constitution required a presidential proclamation of emergency under Article 232 to be laid before both houses of parliament — the National Assembly and the Senate — for approval within 10 days of its issuance. Responding to criticism that the imposition of emergency had resulted in the removal of an elected provincial government, Tarar said the decision had been taken after extensive deliberations and a thorough assessment of the security situation in K-P. He said the federal cabinet had held a two-and-a-half-hour discussion before recommending the emergency measures to the prime minister, citing internal disturbances and cross-border incursions as major factors behind the decision. Tarar maintained that the provincial government's approach towards combating terrorism, particularly since the current cabinet assumed office on October 15, 2025, had become an increasingly serious threat to national security. “The attitude that the K-P provincial government has maintained regarding the war against terror, particularly over the past one year, since the present cabinet took control there, from Oct 15, 2025, to an alarming degree, was becoming a threat to national security,” he said. The law minister emphasised that effective counter-terrorism operations required close coordination between the federal and provincial governments, stressing that a unified response was essential to ensuring Pakistan's security. He said the sharp increase in terrorist activities since 2021 had been driven by several factors, including external, diplomatic and political developments, accusing PTI of pursuing policies that had aggravated the security situation. Tarar acknowledged the sacrifices made by the armed forces, police personnel and civilians in confronting terrorism, saying their efforts had helped the country make progress despite persistent security challenges. He maintained that political differences should not undermine counter-terrorism efforts, reiterating the importance of cooperation between federal and provincial authorities in addressing threats to national security. Arguing that the number of terrorist incidents in K-P over the past year was greater than those recorded during the 2021-2024 spell of terrorism, Tarar claimed that non-functional chief minister Sohail Afridi "overlooked the lit fire," as well the injuries sustained by the Armed Forces, police, security forces, ulema, and innocent civilians. "Instead of healing the wounds of the injured, placing his hands over the heads of the widows and orphans of the martyred, attending their funerals, visiting hospitals, reassuring the people, he gave priority to his politics," the minister said. He added, "When the situation is extraordinary, when the situation is severe, the actions should also be extraordinary; it should not be routine work." Tarar said that there were no restrictions on conducting politics, "but when your own public is being martyred, your own youth in the police force and Armed Forces are giving sacrifices, so then you, being the chief executive of the province, is it not the duty of your government that you go and spend time with them, that you conduct daily meetings daily, morning and evening, bring everyone together, make an action plan, make implementation measures for it?" The minister said here that these circumstances were overlooked by Afridi and "it was also declared that there will be an attack on the capital, that it will be conquered." He added that instead of "resorting to the use of force to handle this, we emphasised discussions and dialogue," expressing his gratitude to Speaker Ayaz Sadiq who "took a personal interest" in the matter and "in respect of the decision of the president and prime minister, provided a platform for mediation." Tarar noted that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Adviser to the President on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam, along with "our friends and ally" the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), "tried their best that matters be handled democratically." Tarar added that on directions of the president, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardaro designated Naveed Qamar, Sherry Rehman and Aijaz Jakhrani to partake in the discussions. On the opposition side, the minister noted that PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar, and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas led the delegation and "sat for two days with their heads together." Tarar, addressing the speaker stated that during the talks, "One thing was clear, that to grapple with terrorism, what we have to do." However, he stated that the response that reached the government was, "Tell us what facilities can be provided to our imprisoned leader and what ease can be provided." "It is unfortunate that such a demand be made that is not in control of the executive and that it be said to the executive that control or not, you do this," Tarar said. He added that Constitution and law have set forth a method for proceedings against someone on whom a case was lodged, saying that "if there is anything that can stop this entire process through legal intervention, then that is the court." He noted, "If you want to free an imprisoned person, in most cases, that is in the control of the court." This is a developing story..