Pakistan’s president has formally declared a state of emergency in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which is governed by the political party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The sudden move grants federal authorities sweeping powers to bypass local provincial governance, citing severe security concerns and civil unrest. Leaders of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party immediately condemned the decree, calling it an unconstitutional power grab designed to crush political opposition. The province has long been a stronghold for PTI and a focal point for anti-government protests demanding Khan’s release and fresh national elections. Human rights groups and legal analysts have raised alarms over the suspension of local rule, warning that it risks deepening Pakistan’s ongoing political and constitutional crisis.

Full report : Pakistan federal government invokes emergency rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, escalating a high-stakes political standoff with supporters of the imprisoned former prime minister.