Khawaja Asif clarifies no plan to impose governor rule in KP

Amid rumors about imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Defence Minister Khawaja Asif clarified on Saturday that the federal government has no plans to take such action against the PTI-led provincial government.

The speculation arose after a federal cabinet meeting reportedly discussed the idea, blaming KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s administration for using state resources against the federal government during PTI’s protest in Islamabad. However, Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah said that no consensus was reached on the matter, and it was deferred for further discussions.

In a press conference, the defence minister accused PTI of harming the country’s economy through protests and denied PTI’s claims of civilian deaths during the demonstrations. He stated that security personnel, including five officials, were martyred during the unrest.

PTI, however, alleged that 12 civilians were killed during the protests, accusing the government of hiding the truth.

The minister also accused the KP government of using official weapons and resources in the protests, urging them to address law and order issues in the province, particularly in Parachinar.

Separately, violence in Kurram District continues, with the death toll from tribal clashes rising to 124, and 178 people injured over the past 10 days, according to police reports.

Meanwhile, Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan stated that the PPP does not support imposing governor’s rule in KP. He added that a ban on PTI could be considered if it forms a “militant wing” but urged the party to rethink its actions.