JARANWALA: Pakistan’s Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has said that governor’s rule and the state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were imposed to combat terrorism, not to establish a political foothold, accusing Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman of seeking a share in the province’s administration.
Addressing a press conference in Jaranwala, Chaudhry said the measures were not intended to topple a political party’s government, install a new administration or forge political alliances. Instead, he described the arrangement as an administrative setup with a “one-point agenda” of eliminating terrorism.
He also rejected allegations that the federal government had imposed the measures to take control of the province’s mineral resources, questioning how invoking Articles 232 or 234 of the Constitution could automatically enable mining activities, particularly in areas where unrest had restricted public movement and business.
The remarks come after Fazlur Rehman and leaders of the Tehreek Tahafuz-e-Aain Pakistan, including Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Nasir Abbas, criticised the imposition of governor’s rule and emergency in KP on October 11. PTI leaders have also opposed the move, which suspended their party’s provincial government. Several party leaders and lawmakers have reportedly been detained.
‘Governor’s rule is not about political gains’
Chaudhry said the administrative council overseeing provincial affairs included a woman who had lost her husband and father-in-law in terrorist attacks, allowing her to represent families of those killed in violence.
He said the council had been formed on professional grounds and would remain in place for the shortest possible period.
“Go ahead with long marches or short marches; we have no problem with that. But talk about terrorism,” Chaudhry said, calling for the condemnation of all forms of terrorism.
He criticised PTI founder Imran Khan over his past remarks about opening an office for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Pakistan. Chaudhry also claimed that no PTI leader had been attacked since 2015.
The minister said security forces continued to make sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and accused PTI leaders of failing to attend funeral prayers for security personnel killed in the line of duty.
“There will be politics if there is peace. Without peace, there will be nothing,” he said.
Chaudhry questions Fazlur Rehman’s reference to 1971
Responding to Fazlur Rehman’s criticism of the 2024 general elections, Chaudhry said the JUI-F chief had suffered electoral setbacks at the hands of PTI and other political parties.
He questioned why Fazlur Rehman was invoking the events of 1971 in the context of the election results, suggesting that the reference had followed his party’s performance in the 2024 polls.
Chaudhry said he held Fazlur Rehman in high regard but disagreed with his political position. He urged the JUI-F chief to support Pakistan’s constitutional and national interests, adding that bitter statements were unbecoming of a politician of his stature.
Government says it pursued talks with PTI
Chaudhry referred to previous attempts to negotiate with PTI, saying Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had held several meetings with provincial representatives.
According to Chaudhry, the federal government had been willing to accept PTI’s political demands, but would not compromise on cooperation in counterterrorism efforts.
He also said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had personally considered Fazlur Rehman’s proposal for another round of negotiations. The proposal was discussed by the federal cabinet, and the prime minister revisited it the previous night and after morning prayers, he added.
However, despite subsequent contact with the JUI-F chief, the effort failed to make progress.
“When Maulana sahib’s efforts also failed, this step was taken,” Chaudhry said, referring to the imposition of governor’s rule in KP.
He said terrorism by the TTP, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) or groups operating from Afghanistan was condemnable. The government would ensure implementation of the National Action Plan in letter and spirit, he added.
Chaudhry said the federal government was trying to restore the political process in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as soon as possible.
