ISLAMABAD: Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Monday told the National Assembly that the imposition of Governor’s Rule in a province is a constitutional process with no resemblance to martial law.
“There is nothing unconstitutional if circumstances arise to impose Governor’s Rule [in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa],” he said, referring to Articles 232, 233 and 234 of the Constitution. However, he said it was unconstitutional when the federal capital was attacked using police vans.
The law minister said the prime minister and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadership have consistently advocated for resolving matters through discussion. “Parliament is not conquered by hurling threats and marching towards the Parliament House,” he stated.
Speaker Ayaz Sadiq asked the minister to engage parliamentarians from both sides to bring them to the table.
Earlier, the Speaker remarked that the prime minister, the law minister and he have repeatedly emphasised that issues can only be resolved through dialogue, not confrontation. “Speak to me with respect and goodwill; I have no objection. I am fulfilling my constitutional and parliamentary responsibilities,” he added.
He stressed that anyone threatening to bring people to attack Parliament may attempt to do so, but such tone and language are unacceptable. He asserted that Parliament is the house of the people, and its dignity will be protected at all costs.
The Speaker noted he had previously extended an offer of dialogue to the opposition leader, but received the response: “Talk to India, talk to Afghanistan — but I will not talk to you.” Despite this, he said, “I gave you the microphone, and you yourself stated you wished to talk. I invited you to my chamber — was my role negative in any way? I even seated the government before you to ensure the continuity of dialogue.”
He emphasised that Parliament is the home of political dialogue, where all differences must be resolved within the constitutional and legal framework. The Speaker also asked the opposition to play its role in Parliament and attend standing committee meetings.
In response, opposition member Ali Muhammad Khan questioned how dialogue was possible while the country’s most popular leader is in jail. “First bring Imran Khan out of prison and then start the dialogue process,” he said.
Earlier, former NA Speaker Asad Qaiser regretted a statement by MNA Barrister Aqeel Ahmad that the federal government was considering imposing Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “There will be serious consequences of imposing Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” the former speaker said.
Speaker Sadiq, without naming Mahmood Khan Achakzai, said a member had threatened to bring the public to block proceedings of the Senate and National Assembly. “While sitting in the lobby, the opposition member also threatened to physically approach the Speaker’s chair,” he said.
He stated that, with the support of parliamentarians, he protected Parliament and would continue to do so. “We have enough courage to give a befitting response to anti-state and anti-Parliament statements,” he asserted.
The Speaker recalled that similar circumstances were faced in 2014, and even then Parliament played a pivotal role in safeguarding the Constitution and democracy. He said he did not adjourn proceedings then, and other members also remained inside amid threats.
The law minister said it is the duty of every parliamentarian to protect the dignity and supremacy of Parliament. He said red lines should not be crossed for political point-scoring, and the whole system should not be hijacked for the sake of any individual. He noted that the Speaker is a man of strong nerves who always steps forward to safeguard Parliament and parliamentary values.
The House passed a resolution, moved by Sumaila Rana, condemning a statement by Mahmood Khan Achakzai about stopping parliamentary proceedings by force. “The statement is contemptuous of the mandate of parliamentarians and an attack on Parliament,” the resolution stated.
It said the government should take constitutional action against the person for instigating people against Parliament and creating a law and order situation. “The action may include, but is not limited to, suspension of membership and stoppage of salary and allowances of the member,” it added.
The Speaker said he would not put the resolution to a vote but would make it part of the Assembly’s record. He asserted that the protection of Parliament would be ensured through collective efforts and does not require a formal resolution.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said Achakzai is the only person who challenged the 8th Constitutional Amendment, adding that nobody was going to attack Parliament and they always talked about strengthening it. “If we wanted to fight, we could have snatched our National Assembly seat in Haripur,” he said.
He said it is against democracy to dub someone a traitor for expressing a difference of opinion with the government. He stressed that it is Achakzai’s right to act as opposition leader, as opposition members had already submitted a request with signatures of 74 MNAs for his nomination.
He said the opposition was not going to attack Parliament, adding that if they had any ill intention, they could have done so when NA members were taking oaths and the 26th amendment was being passed.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl parliamentarian Noor Alam Khan said nobody wants an attack on Parliament. “We are here to protect Parliament if any such attempt is made,” he stated. He complained that irrelevant people are allowed to sit in the lobbies of the opposition and treasury benches.
In a separate statement, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq reiterated that he would continue to perform his constitutional responsibilities as the custodian of the House to safeguard parliamentary supremacy, uphold the Constitution, and protect the democratic process.
He warned that those conspiring against Parliament from within the House are acting against the interests of the state. He stated there will be no compromise on the Constitution, the rule of law, parliamentary sanctity, and public order.
He added that immature political leaders who claim to champion constitutional supremacy while undermining Parliament’s dignity should first reflect on their own conduct. Ayaz Sadiq said new attempts are being made to weaken Parliament and obstruct the legislative process, but no pressure or attack against democratic institutions will ever succeed. He said that just as the conspiracy to assault Parliament in 2014 was thwarted, similar tendencies observed today among certain elements will also meet inevitable failure.
The Speaker reaffirmed that the integrity, stability and sanctity of Parliament are non-negotiable, and every conspiracy against it will be decisively thwarted. He reiterated that Parliament is the true voice of the people, and no extra-constitutional measure will be allowed to hinder its functioning.
Former Speaker Asad Qaiser said veteran politician Mahmood Achakzai has long played a key role in strengthening the democratic system and Parliament. The law minister said the PTI leadership in the past left the field open for opponents, which was a big mistake on their part.
PTI-supported parliamentarian Ali Muhammad Khan said that while the government and Speaker offer dialogue, neither party leaders, lawyers, nor family members of the PTI founder are being allowed to meet him in Adiala Jail. “It is not a political process if PTI parliamentarians are disqualified and convicted,” he said.
Responding to him, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar questioned who violated the sanctity of homes, stating there should not be selective memory. “Who stated they would arrest mothers and sisters of opponents and see them in bad condition in prisons?” he asked.
He noted there was bitterness between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and PPP, yet both later reached the Charter of Democracy, and questioned who acted as a spoiler. “The then-prime minister (Imran Khan) used to state from America that he would deprive Nawaz Sharif of air conditioning and that he sent Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to prison,” he said.
MQM parliamentarian Asiya Ishaque Siddiqui strongly condemned interviews by Aleema Khan and Naureen Khan in Indian media, asking the government to take notice. “I will also ask the PTI leadership to condemn or endorse their interviews on Indian media,” she said.
The National Assembly passed “The Federal Prosecution Service (Amendment) Bill, 2025” and “The National Commission for Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025.” The government also introduced “The Inter-Boards Coordination Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2025” and “The General Statistics (Reorganisation) (Amendment) Bill, 2025” in the House.
Meanwhile, speaking to ‘Geo News’, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi dared the federal government to impose governor’s rule in his province, saying that his government is not afraid.
The PTI-backed KP CM said: “There is no need for any other rule in the province.” The chief minister said those enforcing “closed-door policies” in KP should realise the consequences of their actions.
Separately, talking to the media outside the Parliament House, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan ruled out the possibility of imposition of the governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where his party runs the government.
He said that all these are rumours, making it clear that the province cannot afford governor’s rule. Gohar said that he does not foresee see (the possibility of) Governor’s Rule in the KP, remarking that “we will try to eliminate terrorism from the province”.
About having a meeting with their incarcerated leader and party founder Imran Khan, he announced that they will go to Adiala Jail to meet the PTI founder today (Tuesday). Meanwhile, during his interaction with journalists outside the Parliament House, Senator Faisal Vawda said that if lawlessness continues, governor’s rule could be imposed in KP.
Vawda — once a close aide of PTI founder Imran Khan — emphasised that the provincial chief minister should perform his duties responsibly. “We wish for Faisal Karim Kundi to remain as the KP governor,” he added.
The senator warned that if any other name is chosen, it would not be a “political appointment.” Vawda said that attempts to meet the PTI founder will not yield results, saying that “the wall will not give or receive anything.”
The lawmaker warned that even a minor mistake, following the high court’s order, could lead to the KP CM’s disqualification. KP CM’s issues would be resolved after meeting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari, he added. “President Asif Ali Zardari holds the key to every problem,” said the senator.
