Daily Times

Blaming Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s administration for using “state machinery to attack the Centre” during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protests, the federal cabinet voted in favour of imposing governor’s rule in the province, sources said on Thursday. This recommendation was tabled by Federal Minister Amir Muqam, seeking strict action against the PTI, during the federal cabinet’s session that was backed by a “majority of members”. It stated that the KP government “gave a reason for the governor’s rule by invading the Centre twice”. It also blamed the KP government for using state machinery and employees to “attack the Centre”. The Ministry of Law and the attorney general also gave their opinion to the cabinet members on the recommendations. The sources close to the federal government revealed on Thursday that a majority of cabinet members – who met with a one-point agenda a day ago – backed the suggestion to impose governor’s rule in KP, accusing the province of allegedly patronising the major opposition party’s protests against the coalition government. However, the cabinet decided to consult coalition partners, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), as well as stakeholders like the Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) and the Awami National Party (ANP), before making a final decision. The development follows the conclusion of the Imran Khan-founded party’s much-hyped “do-or-die” protest in Islamabad, which ended abruptly with its top leaders and workers, including its incarcerated founder, booked in eight cases after two days of violent clashes with police. The charges against them include terrorism, assault on police, violation of Section 144, abduction, and interference in government operations. Amid speculations of the governor’s rule, the KP advocate general office “completed preparations for a legal response” to the federal government. During a consultative session, the law officers collected verdicts related to the governor’s rule to counter the expected decision from the Centre. Additional Advocate General Inam Yousafzai told Geo News that there was no reason to impose governor’s rule in KP and vowed that the government would file a case in case of any “illegal” decision taken by the Centre. “If a government with a public mandate is going in the right direction, then what is the reason for the governor’s rule?” questioned the law officer. “Everything is prepared,” said Yousafzai, claiming that the government was fully ready to challenge the decision in court.