Federal ministers confirmed that the Constitution permits the imposition of governor's rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) if deemed necessary. Furthermore, the ministers asserted that governor's rule or an emergency could be imposed in K-P provided the constitutional prerequisites were met. Accusations were levelled by the federal ministers against the provincial government, alleging a failure to manage worsening terrorism and governance issues within K-P. Law Minister Tarar stated that if such circumstances arise, or if they already exist, the Constitution allows for the imposition of governor's rule or an emergency.
Amir Muqam, the Kashmir and G-B Affairs Minister, confirmed that discussions regarding the constitutional and legal options were currently taking place. He further claimed that all legal requirements for imposing governor's rule had been fulfilled, citing the law-and-order situation and the actions of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) government led by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. If governor's rule were imposed, K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi would assume leadership of the new provincial setup. Kundi also stated that the province currently confronts significant governance and corruption problems.
Attaullah Tarar, the Information Minister, accused the provincial government of facilitating terrorists for political and financial gain. He added that the K-P government showed greater concern for politics and money derived from illegal mining and contracts than for its populace. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry questioned why the provincial government failed to publicly condemn attacks originating from Afghanistan or name its alleged proxies. Chaudhry also criticized the K-P government for not supplying adequate resources to its Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD).
Statistics revealed a sharp increase in police casualties in K-P during the first half of 2026, according to a white paper. Specifically, 122 police personnel were martyred in K-P during the first half of 2026. In contrast, 63 police personnel were martyred in K-P during the first half of 2025. Furthermore, injuries rose from 84 to 175. Regarding security infrastructure, terrorist attacks from January to September 2026 reached a total of 680. In December 2025, 3,113 personnel were serving against 3,844 sanctioned CTD posts. The K-P CTD possessed 9 M4 rifles against a required amount of 200. Additionally, the CTD held 11 night-vision devices against a requirement of 35.
The PTI's planned long march, which was initially set for 27 September, was rescheduled to 4 October. The President retains the authority to impose governor's rule upon the Prime Minister's advice should the situation deteriorate. Separately, the Chief Minister chaired the first provincial Apex Committee meeting 112 days after taking office.
