President Asif Ali Zardari signed a decree on Sunday, 28 October 2023, imposing emergency rule over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province after thousands of Imran Khan supporters marched from Peshawar to Dera Ismail Khan.
The decree follows a week‑long “long march” that began on 20 October, demanding Khan’s release and an end to what supporters call politically motivated charges. PTI‑led provincial authorities had stalled negotiations, citing security concerns and the failure of talks with federal delegations.
Under Articles 235(1)(c) and 236 of Pakistan’s constitution, the federal government now controls law and order, finance, and public services in the province, effectively suspending the PTI administration’s autonomy for 90 days.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the decision was taken to address “deteriorating law and order” and to prevent a “war‑on‑terrorism” narrative. PTI chairman Gohar Ali Khan blasted the decree as an undemocratic political mistake, warning that voters would not accept such centralisation. A farmer in Dera Ismail Khan told reporters his cattle were trapped by curfew, underscoring the human toll of the curbs.
Security forces increased patrols in Peshawar, and road closures extended to Gilgit‑Baltistan and Balochistan. A federal review set for 5 November will determine whether the emergency will be lifted if conditions improve, and will also shape the next steps in the nation’s fight against terrorism.