Pakistan Imposes State of Emergency in Imran Khan's Stronghold

The situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has taken a dramatic turn. With thousands of Imran KhanIt's supporters taking to the streets in a bid to secure his release.

As the internet and roads became increasingly restricted, the army has been deployed to the area, further exacerbating the tensions.

According to officials, the PTI KPK government was seen as complicit in the activities of the terrorists. The government has promised to provide protection for the province's population from the threat of terror. However, critics argue that this is a thinly veiled attempt to restrict Khan and his party.

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Imran Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023, convicted in several corruption cases which he claims are politically motivated. His party, the PTI, has been in power for 13 years in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, has been weakened due to a rift with Pakistan's powerful military.

The protests were led by Chief Minister Afridi, whose whereabouts are still unknown. The rift between the PTI and the military has been a longstanding issue. With the party's leaders facing increasing pressure from the establishment.

Most PTI leaders in the province have gone into hiding. And dozens of supporters took to the streets in Bara. Khyber district, on Tuesday, with reports of tear gas shelling in the area.

Despite the government's efforts to restore order, with schools reopening in Peshawar and most parts of the province, and internet services being restored, critics warn that this move could backfire and lead to more instability.

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Michael Kugelman, senior South Asia fellow at the Atlantic Council, has expressed concerns that the government's move is "reckless" and could lead to further challenges.

Zahid Hussain, Islamabad-based author and defence analyst, believes that the balance of power has shifted significantly to the military establishment, and that this could have far-reaching consequences for the country.

The country is already facing rising militancy and a high ranking in the Global Terrorism Index 2026. And the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is unlikely to improve without a resolution to the underlying issues.