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FEDERAL GOVT WEIGHS GOVERNOR’S RULE IN KP AS TENSIONS WITH CM AFRIDI ESCALATE
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Tuesday, 2 December, 2025 | 10 Jamadiul Sani, 1447
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AZAM NAZEER TARAR SAYS GOVERNOR’S RULE IS A LEGITIMATE CONSTITUTIONAL MECHANISM
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Rs 50.00 | Vol XVI No 147 | 48 Pages | Islamabad Edition
ATTA TARAR SAYS IT IS AN AVAILABLE CONSTITUTIONAL OPTION IN SITUATIONS WHERE GOVERNANCE APPEARS WEAK
CM AFRIDI PUBLICLY DARES GOVT TO IMPOSE GOVERNOR’S RULE, SAYS, ‘WE ARE NOT AFRAID’ ISLAMABAD
Staff CorreSpondent
HE federal government on Monday reiterated that the imposition of governor’s rule in any province is a constitutional provision, as debate intensified over the possibility of enforcing the measure in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The remarks came amid a sharp response from KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who dared Islamabad to “go ahead and try it.” Officials in Islamabad say the center is seriously examining the option of governor’s rule due to “security and governance issues” in the province. Speaking in the National Assembly, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar stressed that governor’s rule was a legit-
imate constitutional mechanism. “It is not martial law. If the conditions require it, the Constitution allows it,” he said. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar echoed the sentiment, calling it an available constitutional option in situations where governance appears weak. “Let’s see how matters proceed,” he told reporters. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhary urged CM Afridi to avoid inflaming tensions, saying the federal government had consistently tried to keep him informed on terrorism and security-related developments. He accused the chief minister of resorting to “point scoring” instead of fulfilling his responsibilities. Last week, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss provincial developments, including the possible imposition of governor’s rule. Federal
ministers Amir Muqam and Rana Mubashir Iqbal also attended the meeting, where Islamabad reportedly expressed concern over Afridi’s allegedly confrontational stance toward the Center, the military, and the bureaucracy. Afridi Challenges Centre In Peshawar, CM Afridi publicly dared the federal government to impose governor’s rule. “We are not afraid. If they have the courage, let them try,” he said. He criticised Islamabad for failing to provide KP’s financial dues, claiming the Centre owed the province over Rs3,000 billion. “Imagine what we could do with that money. This discrimination must end,” he remarked. Afridi also faulted the federal government for poor policymaking and cited the IMF’s recent report highlighting institutional corruption.
Political Reactions In Parliament, PTI MNA Asad Qaiser condemned any move towards governor’s rule, calling it “undemocratic” and warning the government of severe political fallout. PTI Chairman Barrister Ali Gohar also dismissed the idea, saying neither the conditions nor legal grounds existed for such a step. “The province is already grappling with terrorism. Instead of creating instability, CM Afridi should be given time,” Gohar said. He insisted KP “cannot bear governor’s rule” and that speculation should end. Gohar also criticised the continued denial of meetings with PTI founder Imran Khan, claiming he had been isolated for nearly a month. “He is the people’s leader and a parliamentary representative. This is wrong,” he said.
Pakistan, Egypt vow to bolster security cooperation RAWALPINDI
Staff CorreSpondent
Dr Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty, Foreign Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt, called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) here on Monday. During the meeting, both dignitaries reviewed bilateral relations between the two broth-
erly countries, with a particular focus on defence and security cooperation, military-to-military contacts, training collaborations, and regional peace and stability. The discussions reaffirmed the commitment of both sides to strengthen coordination and deepen the long-standing ties in defence and broader strategic domains.
The visiting Foreign Minister also conveyed warm greetings from the leadership of Egypt and expressed Egypt’s continued interest in expanding cooperation with Pakistan across all spheres. Both sides underscored the importance of sustained high-level exchanges to address emerging challenges, especially in light of evolving regional security dynamics.
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Naqvi announces major nationwide action against fake news irfan.farooq@pakistantoday.com.pk
ISLAMABAD
Staff CorreSpondent
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday announced that the Ministry of Information, in collaboration with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), would soon launch a major crackdown against the spread of fake news on social media. Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi said he believed that “90 per cent of the content on social media in recent days is fake”, though he emphasised that he supported freedom of expression and the right to criticise. He explained that unlike mainstream media — where false reporting can be taken up with the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) and journalists are accountable to newsroom hierarchies — social media remained largely unregulated. “Anyone can post any picture or create any news and share it. We will not allow this,” he said. Naqvi stressed that credible reporting must be based on evidence. “You cannot just make any allegation, declare someone dead or alive on your own. This cannot be allowed,” he said, adding that the information ministry and NCCIA would begin action “on a massive scale”. He argued that only those affiliated with established media organisations and functioning within editorial systems were considered journalists. “Those who spread fake news are not journalists for us,” he remarked. The minister insisted that the upcoming action was not against journalists but against those who deliberately spread misinformation. Responding to a question about whether a new regulatory body was being set up, he said one was already in the process of being formed.