Party walks tightrope as govt eyes governor’s rule in PTI-ruled province, say experts
Governor KP Faisal Karim Kundi. Photo: Archive
LAHORE:
The PPP is facing growing pressure from powerful quarters to support the imposition of gubernatorial rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), but despite repeated proposals, the party remains reluctant to back an extreme and destabilizing measure, two senior party sources confirmed on Tuesday.
A party official, speaking to The Express PAkGazette, said, “Some powers wanted governor’s rules in KP, to end PTI’s reign in the province. For which they want to use the shoulder of PPP.”
He added that the proposal to “impose rules for the governor” had been raised repeatedly, but had not been endorsed by the party.
According to him, the PPP’s “change in public position, in view of the change in circumstances,” did not alter its “main position of opposition to adopting extreme measures.”
He warned that such a measure would be politically explosive for the region. “It would not be possible to govern the province with the governor’s government without driving it further into anarchy. The political dynamics are very different in KP.”
Another PPP member warned that any attempt to use the party as a conduit for the governor’s rule could prove counterproductive and disastrous. He argued that “imposing gubernatorial rules, by any party, would be a mega blunder.”
Acknowledging the risks of the challenge, he said that “resisting such suggestions from the powers that be has its consequences, but sometimes a line needs to be drawn.”
The source also expressed fears about the dangerous precedent such a decision could set. “There is a downside to this move, moreover, assuming the PPP complies with the instructions of the governor’s government, opens the cannon of worms, then who would stop the PML-N government from doing the same in Sindh, when such a need arises?”
“At any time an urgent scenario and need can be fabricated in Pakistan,” he observed.
However, while reiterating the PPP’s principled stance, he admitted that the party did not wish to fall out of favor with the establishment and will therefore “have to walk this tightrope”.
The discussion gained momentum a day earlier after two federal ministers hinted at the possibility of invoking governor’s rule in KP, citing deteriorating security conditions and governance failures.
Addressing the National Assembly, Justice Minister Azam Nazir Tarar said the governor’s rules were not martial law, adding that it was a constitutional measure, while Information Minister said such action is talked about only when things continue to get out of control.
Historically, Centra has brandished the threat of the governor’s rule to pressure the KP government whenever tensions rise. Although the province has twice experienced governor rule, first when assemblies were dissolved and then when governments were overthrown, the parties’ calculations look markedly different this time.
Other political actors have also distanced themselves from the idea. JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, when asked about it, commented that “those who are going to impose the governor’s rule should respond to this.”
Likewise, ANP leader Aimal Wali Khan also “opposed the imposition of the governor’s rule, despite his open opposition to the PTI.”
