The National Assembly and Senate have passed resolutions calling for the imposition of an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), with the measures adopted by majority votes amid protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers.
In the National Assembly, treasury and opposition members debated the resolution for more than four hours before it was approved by a majority.
Opposition lawmakers protested and chanted slogans against the government during the proceedings. The session was subsequently adjourned until 11am on Friday.
In the Senate, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhary tabled the resolution during a sitting chaired by Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani.
The resolution was passed by a majority despite protests by PTI members, who later walked out of the session.
Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan accused the government of oppressing the province and said he had approached the National Assembly speaker to seek protection for parliamentarians belonging to his party.
Gohar said the draft discussed during negotiations contained five clauses, but government representatives withdrew from the talks when the fourth clause was under discussion.
He maintained that only PTI founder Imran Khan had the authority to nominate a new chief minister, adding that Sohail Afridi would continue to hold the office for as long as the party founder wanted.
Gohar also welcomed the government’s offer to resume negotiations, saying dialogue should continue while efforts to combat terrorism must proceed regardless.
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