Protests in Bara turned violent on Tuesday as demonstrators rejected federal control of the province, while police and opposition leaders gave conflicting accounts of what happened.
Protesters clashed with police in Khyber district on Tuesday over governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and at least five people were injured, according to Dawn. Al Jazeera reported that police fired on the crowd during the PTI protest by supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. Demonstrators were objecting to the emergency rule imposed after federal officials accused the provincial government of failing to act against the Pakistani Taliban, known as the TTP.
What Happened During the Bara Clashes
Dawn reported that scores of PTI workers gathered at Khyber Chowk in Bara Bazaar on Tuesday afternoon. Police first used baton charges and tear gas. Eyewitnesses told Dawn that protesters forced officers to retreat after local assembly member Abdul Ghani Afridi arrived with more supporters. Police then fired tear gas and live rounds into the air, according to Dawn.
Dawn also reported that a NADRA office and part of a Rescue 1122 building were set on fire. The Express Tribune said Khyber District Police Officer Waqar Ahmed described hundreds of workers marching toward Bara Chowk and setting traffic signals alight. Police eventually dispersed the crowd, and Dawn said every road to Bara Bazaar was closed afterward.
Injuries, Arrests and Disputed Claims
Dawn confirmed injuries to at least five protesters through eyewitness accounts. A doctor at Hayatabad Medical Complex told the paper that more than a dozen injured people, including four policemen, had been brought there. The Express Tribune reported that PTI lawmaker Iqbal Afridi claimed 11 workers were hurt and one was killed. The paper said it could not verify those figures.
Capital City Police Peshawar said about 50 people were arrested after the PTI protest, according to the Express Tribune, and urged the public to ignore “baseless rumours”. Dawn reported that Samar Haroon Bilour, the new provincial information adviser, put the number at 42 and said 25 of them were Afghan nationals. Dawn could not verify either figure.
The Express Tribune also reported that district police said protesters held 15 officers inside a municipal office. City police denied that any personnel had been abducted.
What Led to Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Dawn reported that President Asif Ali Zardari approved an emergency under Article 232 and governor’s rule under Article 234 on Sunday, October 11. The decision followed a federal cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The cabinet said the provincial government had deliberately stepped back from the fight against terrorism, according to Dawn. U.S. News reported that PTI rejected that explanation and said the move was meant to stop supporters marching on Islamabad.
The move came while PTI was staging a long march led by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to demand the release of Imran Khan. Open magazine reported that the march began on October 4. Dawn said the emergency covers 12 districts, that the army was authorised to deploy in support of civil authorities, and that a technocratic advisory council of 11 members was formed to assist Governor Kundi. Dawn also cited the monitoring group NetBlocks as showing major internet disruption in parts of the province.
Where Is Sohail Afridi Now?
The Express Tribune reported that a senior police official confirmed eight people had been detained, including Sohail Afridi, PTI lawmaker Junaid Akbar and assembly speaker Babar Saleem Swati. Afridi’s brother asked the Peshawar High Court on Tuesday to order his recovery, according to the same report. Dawn said earlier that Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry confirmed some people were detained but did not say whether Afridi was among them.
Legal Challenge and Political Reaction
PTI news agency reported, as published by ThePrint, that a petition was filed in the Peshawar High Court on Monday. It names the president, the prime minister and Governor Kundi and calls the measures unconstitutional. The Express Tribune said legal experts were divided on the validity of the move.
PTI chairman Gohar Ali Khan told Dawn that stability could not come from “weakening provincial autonomy”. Governor Kundi said the decision was meant to bring peace to the province, according to Dawn. Under Article 234, the proclamation must be approved by a joint sitting of parliament within two months and cannot stay in force beyond six months, Dawn reported.
FAQs
What is governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?
It is a federal measure under Article 234 of Pakistan’s Constitution. Dawn reported that it moves executive powers from the elected provincial government to Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. For wider coverage, see Tamrah News world news.
Why was emergency rule imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?
Dawn reported that the federal cabinet accused the provincial government of deliberately disengaging from the fight against terrorism. Al Jazeera said the move followed alleged failures to act against TTP fighters. Follow more political news on Tamrah News.
What happened in the Bara Bazaar clashes?
Dawn reported that PTI workers clashed with police at Khyber Chowk in Bara Bazaar, buildings were set on fire, and at least five protesters were injured.
How many people were injured in the Bara clashes?
Dawn confirmed at least five injured protesters. A hospital doctor told the paper that more than a dozen injured people, including four policemen, were brought in. PTI claims of higher casualties are unverified.
How many people were arrested after the PTI protest?
Police said about 50, according to the Express Tribune. A provincial adviser said 42, according to Dawn. Neither figure has been independently verified.
Where is Sohail Afridi after the emergency rule?
The Express Tribune reported that a senior police official confirmed he was among eight people detained. His brother has approached the Peshawar High Court.
Is the Peshawar High Court hearing a challenge to governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?
PTI news agency reported that a petition was filed on Monday. No ruling has been reported.
Is Imran Khan’s party still running Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?
Dawn reported that the PTI provincial government has been sidelined and its powers moved to Governor Kundi, with an advisory council assisting him.
How long can governor’s rule last?
Dawn reported that it lapses after two months without joint sitting approval and cannot exceed six months.