Qasim Khan, the son of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan, has denounced the emergency imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a “cowardly act”. His criticism followed the removal of the PTI-led provincial government and has intensified the political confrontation in Pakistan.
President Asif Ali Zardari announced the emergency in the province on 11 October 2026. The government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the decision was taken because of worsening law and order. The move ended the provincial administration led by Imran Khan's party.
Qasim Khan voiced his response in a . He accused those in power in Pakistan of weakening democracy and said the elected chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was being arrested. He also targeted army chief Asim Munir, accusing him of suppressing public opinion and taking steps to remain in power.
Qasim described the action as shameful and appealed to the international community to pay attention to the situation in Pakistan.
PTI links emergency to natural resources
PTI has challenged the government's explanation for the emergency. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the party claimed that the province's oil, gas and mineral resources were behind the decision.
The party alleged that the elected provincial government had been preventing those resources from being sold to other countries. PTI further claimed that the government was removed to gain control of the resources.
The federal government, however, has cited deteriorating law and order as the reason for imposing the emergency. The two sides therefore offer sharply different explanations for the removal of the provincial administration.
Javed Hashmi raises China-related allegations
Senior Pakistani politician Javed Hashmi has also criticised the emergency decision and accused the military of using terrorism as a pretext to impose governor's rule.
Hashmi claimed that during a visit to the United States last year, Asim Munir showed samples of the minerals to President Donald Trump. He said Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan's prime minister, accompanied Munir during that visit.
Hashmi further alleged that Pakistan's government wanted to remove China from the region and bring in the United States. According to his claim, China was operating there under agreed rules. He linked the alleged plan to the removal of the PTI government and the proposed imposition of governor's rule.
He also told the Pashtun community that the army wanted to portray them as terrorists before the United States. Hashmi described Imran Khan as the final barrier between the Pashtuns and the army.
Hashmi warned that the decision could affect future generations and claimed that Punjab and Sindh could also be targeted later. These remarks remain allegations made in his criticism of the government and military.
Imran Khan remains in prison
Imran Khan has been in prison since 5 August 2023, when he was arrested in a corruption case. He is being held at Adiala Jail, located on the outskirts of Rawalpindi.
His sons, Sulaiman Khan and Qasim Khan, are British citizens. Qasim's criticism has added a family response to the wider opposition from PTI and Hashmi over the emergency and the end of the party's provincial government.
Conclusion
The emergency has removed the PTI-led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while the administration cites law and order and PTI alleges a struggle over oil, gas and mineral resources. Qasim Khan and Javed Hashmi have separately condemned the decision and questioned its political and strategic motives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who criticised the emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?
Qasim Khan criticised it as a “cowardly act”. Javed Hashmi also attacked the decision.
Q. When was the emergency announced?
President Asif Ali Zardari announced it on 11 October 2026.
Q. What reason did the government give?
The government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif cited worsening law and order.
Q. What does PTI allege?
PTI claims the emergency was connected to the province's oil, gas and mineral resources.
Q. What happened to the PTI-led provincial government?
The emergency ended the provincial government led by Imran Khan's party.
Q. Where is Imran Khan being held?
He is being held at Adiala Jail on the outskirts of Rawalpindi.
Q. Why is Javed Hashmi's criticism significant in the report?
Hashmi accused the military of using terrorism as a pretext for governor's rule and raised allegations involving China, the United States and the province's minerals.
