ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired an important meeting to review the overall political, security and law-and-order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), with participants discussing possible measures to address the situation.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Information Minister Atta Tarar attended the meeting.
According to sources, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi briefed the prime minister on the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including terrorism-related incidents.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar briefed the meeting on the constitutional and legal aspects of possible options, including governor’s rule, a national government and the imposition of an emergency.
The prime minister was also briefed on the security situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and recent terrorist incidents.
Rana Sanaullah and Amir Muqam briefed the prime minister on the political situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and contacts with various political stakeholders. The meeting was also informed about reported backchannel contacts with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Sources said the prime minister was informed that the provincial government had failed to maintain law and order in the province. Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed concern over the security situation, while it was decided that all relevant stakeholders would be consulted before taking any final decision regarding Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Further consultations on the constitutional and legal aspects of governor’s rule or an emergency in the province are expected to take place on Thursday.
An important meeting at the Presidency is also likely to be held later in the evening or at night, where the prime minister may brief President Asif Ali Zardari on the deteriorating political and security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The meeting is expected to review various political, constitutional and legal aspects, as well as the provincial government’s governance and law-and-order record.
The ongoing security situation, terrorism-related challenges and the provincial government’s role in efforts to counter militancy are also expected to remain part of the consultations.