Pakistan moves toward emergency rule in opposition-held Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Pakistan's federal government has moved to impose emergency rule in the opposition-held Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, escalating its confrontation with Imran Khan's party.

• The government recommended President Asif Ali Zardari declare a state of emergency, accusing provincial authorities of failing to cooperate in counter-terrorism efforts.
• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a cabinet meeting to review constitutional provisions for emergency and governor's rule, with parliament sessions scheduled for Tuesday.
• Provincial Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said he will refuse any emergency or governor's rule imposed in violation of the constitution.
• PTI supporters marched from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa toward Islamabad demanding the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
• President Asif Ali Zardari declared a state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under articles 232 and 234, suspending the provincial government.
• Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said in Islamabad the government declared emergency after daily security-force casualties and a month of provincial non-cooperation in counter-terrorism.
• Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said terrorist incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had risen by 196 percent, describing terrorist acts as an everyday occurrence.
• The protests driving the emergency mixed demands for Khan's release with grievances over worsening economic conditions in the province.
• The move followed Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions over cross-border attacks, which Islamabad attributes to Afghan-based militants.