PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court has issued a notice to the Attorney General and sought a response on petitions challenging the imposition of Governor’s Rule and an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The court adjourned further proceedings until November 10.
A bench comprising Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Faheem Wali heard the petitions. During the hearing, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar requested the court to suspend the imposition of Governor’s Rule and the emergency.
Barrister Gohar argued that Governor’s Rule and the emergency were imposed on the same day, an advisory council was formed, and 38 deputy commissioners were transferred. He also alleged that 12 PTI members of the National Assembly and 13 members of the provincial assembly had been taken away.
He further claimed that PTI offices had been demolished, homes raided, and inauguration plaques for development projects damaged. According to him, plaques belonging to other political parties had been left untouched.
The PTI chairman said his party was peaceful and stood with the state against terrorism. However, he warned that the actions being taken were increasing resentment.
During the proceedings, lawyer Salman Akram Raja argued that Governor’s Rule and an emergency could not be imposed without the provincial government’s consent.
The court issued a notice to the Attorney General’s office, seeking its response, and adjourned the hearing until November 10. The federal government’s response and the court’s subsequent proceedings are now key developments to watch.
