PESHAWAR, October 12, 2026 : Pakistan’s political crisis has intensified after former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and seven other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders were taken into protective custody following the imposition of an emergency in the province over the deteriorating law and order situation.
The emergency was imposed on Sunday, bringing an end to the PTI-led provincial government headed by allies of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. The move came as the party organised a protest march led by Afridi, demanding Khan’s release and access to proper medical treatment.
According to police officials, those taken into custody include Afridi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati and PTI provincial president Junaid Akbar.
The developments have heightened political tensions between the federal government and the opposition party, which has accused the authorities of targeting its leadership and undermining democratic governance.
56 PTI Workers Arrested During Police Raids
Police have also arrested 56 PTI workers in Swabi district during raids at several locations amid heightened security concerns.
According to police, PTI supporters had gathered at Ismaila Interchange and the Razaar Sports Complex, where they were detained during security operations.
Raids were also conducted at Shiwa Adda and other locations in and around Swabi district.
Meanwhile, Peshawar, the provincial capital, remained calm following the dismissal of the PTI government.
The party had been in power in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since 2013, making the emergency and the subsequent political changes a significant development in the province’s political landscape.
President Zardari Invokes Constitutional Emergency Provisions
President Asif Ali Zardari issued a proclamation on Sunday under Articles 232(1) and 234(1) of Pakistan’s Constitution, citing increasing terrorist attacks and a breakdown of constitutional machinery in the province.
The presidential declaration stated that the extraordinary intensity of terrorist incidents posed serious threats to the lives and property of the public.
An emergency allows Pakistan’s federal government to assume key executive and legislative powers in a province during a security crisis or a breakdown of constitutional governance, subject to the applicable constitutional provisions.
Following the proclamation, the provincial bureaucracy underwent a major reshuffle. The changes reportedly affected the chief secretary, departmental secretaries, commissioners, deputy commissioners and district police officers.
Federal Government Accuses PTI of Links With Militants
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar alleged on Sunday that the PTI-led provincial government had a nexus with terrorist groups.
Tarar claimed that intelligence and law enforcement reports indicated militants had gained influence in several districts.
He also said the provincial governor would oversee the administration with assistance from an 11-member advisory council comprising former bureaucrats, officials, politicians and experts from different sectors.
The allegations have added another dimension to the confrontation between the federal government and PTI, particularly over responsibility for the deteriorating security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The PTI has rejected accusations that it failed to tackle militancy. The party has instead alleged that the federal government did not provide the province with sufficient funding and equipment to conduct effective counterterrorism operations.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi Arrives in Peshawar
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Peshawar on Monday to chair a high-level meeting of the Apex Committee on security matters at the Governor’s House.
The meeting comes amid heightened concerns over militant violence, administrative changes and the potential consequences of the emergency for political stability in the province.
Security arrangements have been strengthened as authorities seek to address law and order concerns while the PTI continues to demand the release of its jailed leader.
PTI Protest March Demands Imran Khan’s Release
Before the emergency was imposed, Afridi had vowed to continue peaceful protests and rejected military operations as a solution to the province’s problems.
The PTI had initially planned to take its long march to Islamabad for a sit-in. However, the federal government declared that it would not allow the protesters to enter the capital.
The march followed the failure of two rounds of negotiations between Khan’s party and the federal government.
The protest was intended to pressure the authorities over Khan’s imprisonment, his access to medical care and the release of party supporters detained ahead of the demonstration.
PTI’s Key Demands
The party has put forward several demands, including:
- An immediate meeting with Imran Khan.
- Access to his personal doctors and a proper medical assessment.
- The release of his sisters and supporters arrested ahead of the protest.
- A proper medical check-up for his wife, Bushra Bibi.
- Court hearings in their cases without interference.
The demands have become central to the ongoing confrontation between PTI and the federal government, with the party insisting that its protest will continue until its concerns are addressed.
Imran Khan Remains in Jail Amid Multiple Cases
Imran Khan, the 73-year-old former cricketer turned politician and former prime minister, has been incarcerated at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi since 2023.
He faces more than 100 cases, including corruption allegations and charges related to inciting violence. Khan and his party have repeatedly challenged legal proceedings against him.
His imprisonment remains a major source of political tension in Pakistan, with PTI supporters continuing to demand his release and raising concerns about his access to medical care.
Political and Security Crisis Deepens
The imposition of emergency rule, the removal of the PTI-led provincial government and the detention of senior party leaders mark a major escalation in the confrontation between Pakistan’s federal authorities and the opposition.
While the federal government has justified the move on security grounds, PTI has rejected the accusations against its provincial administration and raised concerns about the treatment of its leadership and supporters.
The situation now presents two major challenges for Pakistan: addressing the persistent threat of militancy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and preventing the political confrontation from escalating further.
As security operations and administrative changes continue, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the emergency brings greater stability to the province or intensifies Pakistan’s already deep political divisions.
