Emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Exposes Administrative Failure

October 28, 2026

Pakistan government’s imposition of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has showcased administrative failure, weakened provincial autonomy and the military’s increased intervention. The civil-military hybrid government may have quelled the potential political trouble for it, but it has given rise to several problems, concerns, and doubts — all being detrimental to Pakistan’s democracy and stability. The political opposition over the prolonged imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan could have been handled properly. But the use of the emergency has exposed the administrative failure, weakened provincial autonomy and increased intervention by the military. It would be very difficult for the Islamabad government to convince its people and the international community of the genuineness of the security crisis and to justify the removal of a politically inconvenient but elected government. Pakistan government’s decision removed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial government. Notably, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has continuously witnessed militant violence. However, the Pakistan government has failed to provide evidence of the threats posed by alleged collusion between the Imran Khan-founded party and militants. Pakistan federal government’s decision came as PTI supporters were holding a long march to Islamabad demanding the release of Imran Khan and restoration of constitutional supremacy. Interestingly, the demand for the restoration of constitutional supremacy is a direct challenge to the Pakistani army’s political authority, institutional autonomy, and its growing influence over the civilian government. This assumes huge significance if one takes a look at the 27th Constitutional Amendment of November 2025. It questions the concentration of political and military authority under Munir’s leadership, as he has managed to evade civilian and judicial accountability.