Govt considering all constitutional options for KP amid unrest, says Khawaja Asif

Govt considering all constitutional options for KP amid unrest, says Khawaja Asif
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Summary He said the government could not allow attacks on the capital through what he described as repeated marches every two or three months

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said that imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be a last resort, adding that the government is making efforts to avoid reaching that point.

Speaking to media at Parliament House on Wednesday, Asif said that if no other option remained, the federal capital could not be left “at the mercy of anyone.”

He said the government could not allow attacks on the capital through what he described as repeated “marches” every two or three months.

“If the capital is attacked, the government has the right to protect it,” the defence minister said.

Asif said any final decision on governor’s rule would be taken after assessing the prevailing circumstances and available options.

He added that the government was considering all constitutional and legal options, including the imposition of governor’s rule.

He said the public had sufficient political awareness to understand the prevailing situation.

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Commenting on alleged links between the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and the Taliban, Asif said there was evidence of such contacts.

The defence minister said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was in the grip of terrorism while the chief minister and provincial cabinet were engaged in a political long march.

“The time has come to take important decisions,” Asif said, adding that the entire province could not be held hostage.

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