ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has decided to impose an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but will give the provincial government another opportunity before implementing the measure, according to government sources.
A high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed the province’s security situation, with participants expressing serious concern over the continuing threat of terrorism and the provincial government’s alleged lack of cooperation in the fight against militants.
According to sources, the meeting proposed making a final attempt to engage the provincial government through Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman before taking any final decision on the province.
During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar contacted Fazlur Rehman and urged him to encourage the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to cooperate with the federal government in combating terrorism.
Special reports from police and intelligence agencies regarding the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were also presented to the prime minister and the federal cabinet.
The meeting’s agenda included key issues relating to restoring peace and stability in the province, improving governance and addressing the deteriorating security situation.
Government sources said major constitutional and administrative decisions concerning Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were expected following the high-level meeting.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, adviser Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State Talal Chaudhry, Amir Muqam, Syed Imran Shah, Hanif Abbasi, Moeen Wattoo, Pervez Khattak, Ahsan Cheema, Mustafa Kamal and Haroon Akhtar.