Provincial govt fully prepared to challenge Centre’s move
Blaming Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s administration for using “state machinery to attack the Centre” during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf protests, the federal cabinet voted in favour of imposing governor’s rule in the province.
The KP chief executive had been leading the PTI’s protests seeking the release of PTI founder Imran Khan and independence of judiciary on the frontline, which caused unrest in the federal capital and adjoining cities, drawing criticism from the ruling coalition over the alleged use of state machinery.
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 a day ago with a one-point agenda, 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 People’s Party, as well as stakeholders like the Qaumi Watan Party and the Awami National Party, before making a final decision.
