Pakistan’s joint parliament session endorses governor’s rule in KP

Pakistan’s joint parliamentary session on Thursday passed a resolution approving governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), backing a federal government move affecting the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-run province. The resolution was passed with 214 lawmakers voting in favour and 56 against.

The federal government says the emergency was necessary to address the province’s deteriorating security situation.

What is governor’s rule in KP?

Governor’s rule is provided for under Article 234 of the Constitution when a provincial government cannot be carried on in accordance with it, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said.

A proclamation must go before a joint sitting and lapses after two months unless parliament approves its continuation. It cannot remain in force beyond six months.

Who backed the resolution in the joint session?

Lawmakers from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) supported the resolution. Opposition members protested, chanted slogans and displayed placards opposing the measure.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry moved a motion to suspend certain provisions of the Parliament (Joint Sitting) Rules, 1973. He then introduced two resolutions, one concerning an emergency proclamation under Article 232 of the Constitution and the other relating to governor’s rule under Article 234.

What did the government say during the debate?

Tarar defended the measures, saying a special administrative mechanism had been put in place to run the province’s affairs. He said government lawmakers were ready to respond to questions from the opposition.

Tarar accused the PTI-led provincial government of failing to act on repeated advice to address militancy. He also criticized PTI leaders for not attending the funerals of people killed in militant attacks.

Earlier in the debate, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman criticized the PTI’s record on militancy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. She accused its previous provincial government of allowing Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters to return to the country in 2022.

What happened before the joint session vote?

Under Article 232, an emergency proclamation issued by the president must be presented to both houses of parliament for approval within 10 days. The joint session vote came a day after the National Assembly and Senate separately approved resolutions supporting an emergency proclamation in the province.

Both votes were marked by protests from PTI lawmakers, with opposition members in the Senate eventually walking out. The federal government has said the emergency was imposed in accordance with the Constitution.