The Centre has additionally raised objections to the provincial government’s position on dialogue with the Afghan Taliban.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Peshawar on Thursday for his first visit to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) since the imposition of governor’s rule and an emergency in the province on October 11, according to sources in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

During his visit, the prime minister is expected to chair a meeting of the provincial apex committee on counterterrorism, PMO sources said.

The federal government imposed governor’s rule and an emergency in KP on October 11, citing what it described as the PTI-led provincial government’s “deliberate disengagement” from efforts to combat terrorism. Parliament subsequently endorsed the decisions last week amid protests from opposition lawmakers.

Apex Committee to Review Security Situation

KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi chaired a meeting of the provincial apex committee a day after governor’s rule was imposed.

At the meeting, Kundi assured the interior minister that he would implement federal government policies and coordinate with security forces to restore peace and promote development in the province.

He also said counterterrorism would be the administration’s top priority under the new arrangement.

Later, addressing a press conference, the governor called for stronger coordination between the federal and provincial authorities. He said counterterrorism policies would come from Islamabad rather than Kabul, in an apparent reference to allegations by federal ministers that the PTI-led provincial government had maintained links with terrorist groups.

The PTI has rejected the federal government’s position and raised concerns about its exclusion from security-related decisions affecting the province.

Political Tensions Over Counterterrorism Policy

The imposition of governor’s rule followed a PTI mobilisation campaign and protest march demanding the release of the party’s jailed founder, Imran Khan.

Negotiations between the government and opposition had already broken down a week before the decision, with disagreements over counterterrorism policy emerging as one of the major obstacles to an agreement.

The PTI argued that it was being excluded from decisions concerning security in KP and called for a review of the country’s counterterrorism strategy. The federal government rejected the claim that the party was being sidelined and criticised the provincial administration’s handling of the security situation.

Federal ministers have also accused the PTI-led provincial government of maintaining a “nexus” with terrorist groups, allegations that have contributed to tensions between the two sides.

The Centre has additionally raised objections to the provincial government’s position on dialogue with the Afghan Taliban.

Army Deployment in KP

Following the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule, the federal government authorised the deployment of Pakistan Army troops and assets in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in aid of civil power.

The prime minister’s visit comes amid heightened political tensions and continued debate over responsibility for the province’s deteriorating security situation.

The expected apex committee meeting is likely to focus on counterterrorism measures and coordination between federal authorities, the provincial administration and security forces.