ISLAMABAD: Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Sohail Afridi and some members of his cabinet have been taken into “preventive custody” following the imposition of emergency rule in the province, State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry confirmed.
“Yes, I can confirm that the chief minister (Sohail Afridi) and some of his cabinet members have been taken into preventive custody,” Chaudhry told Reuters.
He said the detainees would be charged and tried if they had cases against them, while the others would be released. The detentions took place on Sunday, he added.
Reuters, citing witnesses and officials, reported that Afridi’s house and other important facilities in the vicinity had been cordoned off, with a heavy police presence, paramilitary forces and shipping containers deployed in the area.
PTI aide Shaukat Yousafzai condemned the detentions and demanded the release of those taken into custody.
The development follows the suspension of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led provincial government after President Asif Ali Zardari promulgated emergency rule in KP amid a worsening security situation and escalating tensions between the federal government and the opposition party.
Government signals release of detainees without cases
A day earlier, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had declined to speculate on whether Afridi and members of his cabinet would be arrested or remain in the province.
Naqvi said anyone wanted in a criminal case would be dealt with according to law, while those taken into preventive custody would be released when circumstances permitted.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar defended the imposition of emergency rule on Monday, saying the federal government had no alternative but to act to protect citizens’ lives and property amid the province’s prolonged fight against terrorism.
Addressing a seminar on terrorism and regional security, Dar said the decision was not politically motivated and that the federal government had a responsibility to protect citizens throughout the country.
“When it comes to the safety and security of our nationals, our citizens, wherever they live in any part of Pakistan, I think it is the duty of the federal government,” he said.
Federal government assumes control in 12 districts
Under the emergency measures announced on Sunday, executive powers of the provincial government were transferred to the governor, while an 11-member advisory council was constituted to oversee provincial affairs.
The measures also place 12 districts under a federal administrative arrangement overseen by the governor. These include Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, Upper South Waziristan, Lower South Waziristan and North Waziristan.
The government has established an Area Development Secretariat to oversee administration, security and development in the designated districts, alongside the advisory council to assist the governor in running provincial affairs.
The federal government has said the measures are aimed at restoring law and order and safeguarding citizens. It has also authorised the deployment of army personnel under Article 245 of the Constitution to assist the civil administration in maintaining law and order.
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