PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari stated on Saturday that the federal government was fully prepared to impose an emergency or governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) due to ongoing security concerns. Speaking at an event in Karachi, Bilawal said his party instead advocates for a political solution through dialogue with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) regarding its planned October 4 protest march.
The federal government had been in contact with President Asif Ali Zardari and the PPP regarding security challenges, particularly terrorist attacks originating from Afghanistan. Bilawal noted that while imposing governor’s rule or emergency is a constitutional tool, the PPP views it as a “constitutional atomic bomb” that should be preceded by political dialogue to better address terrorism.
Bilawal Warns Federal Government Plans Emergency Rule in KP
Bilawal stated that in his opinion, the federal government had made up its mind and was 100 percent ready to immediately impose emergency or governor’s rule in KP. He pointed to frequent terrorist activity in the province and allegations that the provincial government does not consider law and order important or stand with the federation.
The PPP chief emphasized that terrorism should not be viewed through a political lens, highlighting what he called India’s “hideous role” in supporting threats from Afghanistan. He called for a written agreement between the KP and federal governments to outline joint counter-terrorism efforts, adding that political deadlocks must be kept separate from national security interests.
Government and Opposition Hold Talks Ahead of Protest March
The remarks coincide with ongoing talks between the government and the opposition aimed at defusing the country’s political crisis ahead of PTI’s planned October 4 protest march demanding the release of party founder Imran Khan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed national security and the possible use of emergency powers with President Zardari at Aiwan-i-Sadr in Islamabad earlier in the week.
A joint delegation of PML-N and PPP leaders met the opposition on Friday, followed by a second round of talks on Saturday at Parliament House. National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq expressed hope that the discussions would maintain a cordial atmosphere. Meanwhile, Bilawal urged PTI to abandon its long march, noting that the protest had already achieved a level of success by keeping the capital shut for 10 days.
Karachi Water Treatment Infrastructure Projects
Earlier in his speech in Karachi, Bilawal highlighted local government achievements and announced major water infrastructure projects. A newly initiated 35 million gallon water treatment project will fulfill the needs of the SITE industrial area by treating wastewater that previously polluted the city, sea, and river. Capacity is scheduled to reach 65 million gallons by January, eventually scaling to 100 million gallons.
Bilawal also addressed long-standing water allocation issues under the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord, noting that eight per cent of Sindh’s water comes through the Indus River System Authority (Irsa). To mitigate shortages, the Sindh government and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) have prioritized water conservation, with additional facilities underway in Kemari, Lyari, and the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) to support Karachi’s economy.
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