Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry confirmed on Monday that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and several members of his cabinet had been taken into preventive custody following the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in the province.
Speaking to Reuters, Chaudhry confirmed the detentions, which reportedly took place on Sunday, as political tensions escalated between the federal government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Sohail Afridi is in protective custody, as per the KP home department, says Info Minister @TararAttaullah https://t.co/yZXAu21KPb
— Anas Mallick (@AnasMallick) October 12, 2026
“Yes, I can confirm that the [now-dysfunctional] chief minister [Sohail Afridi] and some of his cabinet members have been taken into preventive custody,” the minister said.
Chaudhry added that those facing legal cases would be charged and tried, while the remaining detainees would be released.
The development follows President Asif Ali Zardari’s approval of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with the federal government citing the province’s worsening security situation.
Zardari Approves Emergency and Governor’s Rule in KP
President Asif Ali Zardari approved the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution of Pakistan.
According to a statement issued by the President Secretariat’s Media Wing, the president signed the summary on the prime minister’s advice.
The decision followed recommendations from the federal cabinet, formal advice from the prime minister and law-and-order reports submitted by relevant security institutions.
The federal government cited concerns about the deteriorating security situation and shortcomings in the provincial administration’s counterterrorism efforts.
The breakdown of negotiations between the federal government and provincial leadership also contributed to the decision.
The imposition of governor’s rule marks a major escalation in the political confrontation between the Centre and the PTI-led administration in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
PTI Chairman Condemns Federal Government’s Decision
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan condemned the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule, describing the move as a “grave political mistake.”
In a post on X, Gohar warned that the federal government’s decision would undermine democratic rights and provincial autonomy.
His remarks reflect the party’s opposition to the federal government’s intervention in the province, where PTI has maintained its political influence.
The party has also raised concerns about the implications of the decision for the provincial government’s authority and the democratic process.
The latest developments have further intensified tensions between PTI and the federal government, with the detention of Afridi and members of his cabinet adding another dimension to the dispute.
Long March and Failed Talks Preceded Emergency
The emergency proclamation came after days of political mobilisation by PTI supporters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who had planned to march towards Islamabad to demand the release of party founder Imran Khan and access to medical treatment for him.
The long march began in Lakki Marwat on October 4, following the failure of negotiations between government representatives and the opposition to reach an agreement.
The talks reportedly collapsed over disagreements regarding counterterrorism cooperation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and access to Imran Khan, who remains incarcerated.
One of PTI’s key demands was permission for Khan to meet his personal doctor to address concerns about his health and medical care.
The government and opposition subsequently exchanged accusations over the failure of negotiations as Afridi continued leading the march through the province.
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The dispute over the protest and the handling of security concerns contributed to the deteriorating relationship between the provincial leadership and the federal government.
Political Uncertainty Deepens in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The detention of the provincial chief minister and cabinet members, following the approval of governor’s rule, has raised the stakes in the ongoing political confrontation.
The federal government has defended its decision by pointing to security concerns, while PTI has criticised the move as an infringement on democratic rights and provincial autonomy.
Chaudhry’s statement indicates that the authorities intend to distinguish between detainees who may face legal proceedings and those who could be released without charges.
However, further details regarding the identities of the detained cabinet members, the specific cases under consideration and the timeline for their possible release were not provided in the minister’s remarks.
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The situation remains closely linked to the wider dispute over Imran Khan’s detention, PTI’s protest campaign and counterterrorism cooperation in the province.
With the federal government and opposition maintaining opposing positions, developments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are likely to remain a major focus of Pakistan’s political landscape.
