Lahore. Political tension has increased after the imposition of emergency in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province. Police have detained former chief minister of the province Sohail Afridi and seven other leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). On Sunday, President Asif Ali Zardari had imposed emergency citing deteriorating law and order in the province. The leaders were detained soon after. With this development, the provincial government led by PTI, the party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, came to an end.
Before the imposition of emergency, PTI was taking out a protest march under the leadership of Sohail Afridi. Through the march, demands were being raised for the release of Imran Khan and providing him medical facilities. According to police officials, apart from Afridi, the detained leaders also include Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati and PTI provincial president Junaid Akbar.
Imran Khan's son made allegations against Army Chief Asim Munir
Qasim Khan, son of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, on Monday made serious allegations against Army Chief Asim Munir. Qasim claimed that Asim Munir was resorting to terrorism to justify the military operation in the area. He also condemned the imposition of emergency and governor's rule in PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
This development has further escalated the ongoing political conflict between the Center and PTI in Pakistan. However, the allegations leveled against the Army Chief are claims of Qasim Khan.
Emergency and Governor's rule challenged in High Court
The decision to impose emergency and Governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was challenged in the Peshawar High Court on Monday. A petition has been filed in this regard on behalf of advocate Salman. President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi have been made respondents in the petition.
The petitioner argued that the decision to impose emergency and Governor's rule in the province is illegal, unconstitutional and motivated by evil intentions. Through the petition, judicial intervention has been sought challenging the decision in question.
Now the proceedings of Peshawar High Court in this matter will be monitored. On one hand the PTI leadership is opposing the emergency and Governor's rule, while on the other hand the government has taken this step in view of the law and order situation.