THE PTI’s plan to march on Islamabad has landed the party into deep trouble as serious questions are being raised by the Federal Government about the very credentials of the provincial government of KP vis-à-vis the security crisis in the province. The party delayed its march earlier slated for September 27 to October 04 but there are no signs of any rapprochement and the focus has shifted towards constitutional options to deal with the grave situation.
Comments made by several cabinet members and the Governor KP on Monday conveyed a vivid impression that the authorities concerned were contemplating drastic measures in view of the prevailing crisis. Speaking at a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, Kashmir and G-B Affairs Minister Amir Muqam said consultations on the constitutional and legal options were underway and “anything can happen at any time”. He went to the extent of saying that in case of Governor’s rule, incumbent Governor Faisal Karim Kundi will head the new set-up. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar also dropped similar hints when he said Governor’s rule or an emergency could be imposed in KP if the constitutional requirements were met. Despite being a constitutional option, the Governor’s rule is an extreme course and must be exercised with extreme care because of the sensitivities involved. The PTI being a political party, its provincial government is entitled to its own political narratives but it is also a reality that it is bound to extend fullest possible cooperation to the state apparatus engaged in war against terror. The province has become a target of almost daily terrorist attacks taking precious lives including those of the personnel of law enforcing agencies but there is an impression that the provincial government views the challenge differently. The issue was highlighted by remarks of Information Minister Attaullah Tarar who said that the PTI-led KP government refuses to take ownership of the counterterrorism operations or take effective steps against terrorism, adding they have become a B-team of the terrorist outfit TTP.
In this backdrop, one would say the PTI is entitled to pursue its political agenda while remaining strictly within the bounds of the constitution and the law but it must coordinate and cooperate sincerely with the Centre in the national campaign to eliminate terrorism. As for the option of Governor’s rule in KP, the question arises whether the extremely disappointing law and order situation in the province will improve in the limited time that the Constitution allows for such an arrangement. Article 234 of the Constitution of Pakistan, Governor’s rule can initially be imposed for two months and it can be extended by Parliament to a maximum total period of six months. A proclamation of Governor’s rule issued by the President expires after two months unless it is approved by a resolution of a joint sitting of the Parliament. The Parliament can extend the proclamation through a resolution for further periods not exceeding two months at a time but under no circumstances a proclamation under Article-234 remains in force for more than six months. After that period, normal democratic and constitutional mechanisms must resume or fresh steps must be taken according to law. With all this in view, it would be more appropriate if the mandate given by the people of the province to the PTI is respected but for this to happen the party should also make an unequivocal declaration to provide all out support for the counter-terrorism campaign, which has become a must because of rising level of terrorism in the province. Instead of wasting time and resources for political activities aimed at undermining the Federal Government, these should be diverted to make the province safe.
