Cabinet for
governor’s
rule in KP
The sources close to the Establishment however claim that there is no decision yet to impose Governor’s rule in KP for the moment
Ansar M Bhatti/DNA
ISLAMABAD: Blaming Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s administration for using “state machinery to attack the Centre” during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protests, the federal cabinet on Thursday voted in favour of imposing governor’s rule in the province, a private news channel reported citing sources.
The KP chief executive had been leading the PTI’s protests seeking the release of its incarcerated former premier Khan and independence of judiciary on the frontline, which caused unrest in the federal capital and adjoining cities, drawing criticism from the ruling coalition over the alleged use of state machinery.
This recommendation was tabled by the Ministry of Law and Attorney General before the federal cabinet, stating that the KP government “gave a reason for the governor’s rule by invading the Centre twice”.
It also blamed the KP government for using state machinery and employees to “attack the Centre”.
The development follows the conclusion of the Imran Khan-founded party’s much-hyped “do-or-die” protest in Islamabad, which ended abruptly with its top leaders and workers, including its incarcerated founder, booked in eight cases after two days of violent clashes with police.
The charges against them include terrorism, assault on police, violation of Section 144, abduction, and interference in government operations.
The sources close to the federal government revealed that a majority of cabinet members — who met today with a one-point agenda — suggested imposing governor’s rule in KP, accusing the province of allegedly patronising the major opposition party’s protests against the coalition government.
However, the cabinet decided to consult coalition partners, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), as well as stakeholders like the Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) and the Awami National Party (ANP), before making a final decision.
Amid speculations of the governor’s rule, the KP advocate general office “completed preparations for a legal response” to the federal government.
During a consultative session today, the law officers collected verdicts related to the governor’s rule to counter the expected decision from the Centre.
