ISLAMABAD: The federal government is considering imposing an emergency in 12 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), with high-level political and administrative consultations expected to determine the next course of action.
In this sense, the provincial authorities have been informed about the proposed measures, while important decisions may be discussed at meetings chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The proposals include establishing a special administrative structure for eight merged tribal districts and four settled districts of the province. However, no final decision has been officially confirmed in the supplied report.
High-Level Meetings Expected in Islamabad
The sources indicate that federal cabinet members have been advised to remain in Islamabad amid deliberations over the possible imposition of an emergency or governor’s rule in KP.
The federal cabinet meeting may be convened soon to review reports from national security institutions and assess the prevailing political and security situation.
The separate high-level meeting is also reportedly expected at the President’s House, involving President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and representatives of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
The proposed plan reportedly covers eight merged tribal districts: Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, Bajaur, Mohmand, North Waziristan, South Waziristan and Lower South Waziristan.
Four settled districts—Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Bannu and Lakki Marwat—are also included in the reported proposal.
Under the plan, these districts could receive a special administrative arrangement operating separately from the existing provincial administrative structure.
Proposed Two-Month Emergency and New Secretariat
According to the report, the proposed emergency could initially remain in force for two months, after which authorities would review the situation and consider whether an extension was necessary.
The proposed structure would include a secretariat headed by a Grade-21 secretary, alongside a Grade-21 police officer. Four to six additional administrative officers would reportedly oversee areas such as governance, finance, development and planning.
The federal government would directly appoint these officials under the proposed arrangement. District commissioners, district police authorities and the additional inspector general of police would reportedly be accountable within the proposed administrative framework.
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For now, the reported proposals remain under consideration, and official confirmation will be necessary to establish whether the federal government intends to proceed with the plan.
