KP governor summons apex committee meeting after emergency imposition

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has convened a meeting of the provincial apex committee on Monday to review the security situation, with the proposed deployment of army troops in 12 sensitive districts expected to feature prominently on the agenda.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has arrived in Peshawar to attend the meeting, which will be chaired by Kundi and attended by senior military officials, according to sources. Important decisions concerning security arrangements and the deployment of troops in the affected districts are expected.

The meeting comes a day after President Asif Ali Zardari promulgated an emergency and imposed governor’s rule in the province, suspending the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial government amid a worsening security situation and escalating tensions between the federal government and the opposition party.

Under the measures announced on Sunday, the provincial government’s executive powers were transferred to the governor, while an 11-member advisory council was constituted to oversee provincial affairs. The federal government also authorised the deployment of army personnel under Article 245 of the Constitution to assist the civil administration in maintaining law and order.

Security measures in 12 districts

The apex committee meeting is expected to focus on security challenges in 12 districts considered particularly sensitive, including arrangements for deploying troops and other measures to strengthen the state’s response to militancy.

The federal government has defended its decision to impose emergency rule, alleging that the provincial administration failed to cooperate adequately with Islamabad on counterterrorism measures.

Interior Minister Naqvi previously said militant violence had increased significantly in recent months, citing attacks affecting residents and security personnel as justification for federal intervention.

The government has also announced plans to establish a separate secretariat to oversee administrative affairs in the 12 districts most affected by terrorism. The secretariat will operate under an additional chief secretary, with resources directed towards security and reconstruction efforts.