Emergency Declared in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Amid Tensions Between Imran Khan Supporters and Military

Following the declaration of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the provincial government has been suspended. Schools have been closed, internet services partially disrupted, and military patrols increased. The government has accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) provincial administration of collaborating with terrorists, with Chief Minister Sohail Afridi taken into custody by security agencies. During the long march demanding the release of Imran Khan, PTI leaders have gone underground, and tear gas has been used against supporters.

The emergency declaration in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has further deepened the diplomatic and political crisis across the country. Schools remain closed and internet access is partially blocked. Freight containers have been placed on roads, and the military is actively patrolling. The Pakistani government says the decision was made under constitutional provisions to ensure the safety of citizens against the “threat of terrorism.” Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has leveled serious accusations against the PTI provincial government for cooperating with terrorists, although no concrete evidence has yet been made public.

The government’s crackdown intensified after thousands of supporters began a “long march” demanding the release of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who has been leading the protests in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where Imran Khan’s party has maintained dominance for 13 years. Afridi was taken into custody by security forces citing “security reasons,” a move also confirmed by the PTI as a detention.

Analysts suggest that the main motive behind declaring the emergency is not terrorism but an attempt to remove the opposition party from power and exert pressure. Farzana Sheikh, Associate Fellow at Chatham House, and defense analyst Arifa Noor described the government’s move as deceptive and a dangerous signal to suppress dissent and democratic voices. The balance of power in Pakistan has shifted decisively in favor of the military.