Peshawar High Court Reviews Legality of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Emergency

The Peshawar High Court issued notices to the federal government, the Attorney General's Office, and provincial authorities on October 20, 2026, to review the legality of governor's rule and a state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The federal government, led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, imposed these measures on October 11, citing rising terrorism and a lack of provincial cooperation in counterterrorism efforts.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan and other petitioners argue the measures are unconstitutional, asserting that the provincial government remained operational and no constitutional breakdown occurred. Gohar Khan further alleged the demolition of party offices and the abduction of 12 National Assembly members and approximately 14 provincial lawmakers. The court is also seeking the recovery of missing officials, including Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati.

Legal opposition expanded as the K-P Bar Council called for a province-wide boycott of court proceedings on October 20, disrupting judicial business across several districts. Simultaneously, advocate Muhammad Yousaf Javed filed a petition in the Federal Constitutional Court in Islamabad, arguing the emergency notification was based on "mala fide intent."

The Peshawar High Court division bench, consisting of Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Muhammad Faheem Wali, has adjourned further proceedings until November 10.