City Desk
ISLAMABAD :Pakistan Peoples Party Workers (PPPW) President Dr Safdar Ali Abbasi, Naheed Khan, former Member of the National Assembly, Senior Vice Presidents Fayyaz Ali Khan , Advocate Amjad Baluch, General Secretary Kunwar Zahid, Faraha Aslam, Ibrahim Khan, former MPA Sajjida Mir, Hashim Khan Babar ,Malik Mazhar, Naveed Sadiq, and Rana Usman and other party leaders have expressed grave concern over the latest developments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following the suspension of its elected government, the imposition of emergency and Governor’s Rule, and the deployment of the Pakistan Army under Article 245 to assist the civil administration.
The PPPW leadership reaffirmed its unequivocal support for decisive action against terrorism, emphasising that lasting success requires the confidence, cooperation and active support of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A sustainable counterterrorism strategy must bring together the civil and military leadership, elected representatives, political parties and local communities through meaningful dialogue and a shared national commitment.
While recognising the state’s responsibility to protect citizens and maintain peace, PPPW expressed concern over the reported detention of former Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati and other elected representatives, as well as restrictions on public gatherings under Section 144 in several districts, including Peshawar. The authorities must clarify the legal grounds for and whereabouts of those detained, ensure due process and access to legal counsel and family, and safeguard the right to peaceful political activity.
The leadership stressed that extraordinary security measures must remain within the bounds of the Constitution and the law. The suspension of an elected provincial government and the transfer of provincial authority to federal control raise serious questions about democratic representation and provincial autonomy that require transparency and constitutional accountability. Allegations of political complicity in terrorism must be substantiated through credible evidence and due process, rather than political rhetoric.
PPPW emphasised that the Pakhtun people, including the communities of the former tribal areas, are proud and equal citizens of Pakistan. Their dignity, patriotism and sacrifices must be respected. No community should be subjected to collective blame or suspicion.
The leadership called upon the Federal Government, the provincial political leadership, elected representatives, and civil and military authorities to engage in immediate and meaningful dialogue to address security concerns, build public confidence and restore democratic normalcy. Pakistan’s prosperity and security are a shared responsibility, and no lasting victory against terrorism is possible without the trust and participation of the people.
PPPW believes that national unity must be built on mutual respect, constitutional supremacy, justice and cooperation. Our common objective is a peaceful, secure and prosperous Pakistan in which democracy is strengthened, every province is respected, and all state institutions work together in the supreme national interest.
