Cabinet moves KP chief minister's powers to governor during emergency
The federal cabinet approved transferring the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister's powers to the governor for the emergency period. A Cabinet Division gazette notification issued on 4 November made the order effective immediately.
- Governor Faisal Karim Kundi now exercises the chief minister's powers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
- The order, issued on 4 November, took immediate effect.
- The governor must send monthly reports to the federal government.
- An advisory council has been set up to assist him.
The federal cabinet has approved transferring the powers assigned to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister to the province's governor for day-to-day affairs during the emergency period. Reports said the aim was smoother administration and better governance.
Daily Pakistan reported that the Cabinet Division announced the move through a gazette notification on 4 November. Federal Government Order No. 3/2026 authorises Governor Faisal Karim Kundi to exercise the chief minister's powers under the Constitution, provincial laws and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government Rules of Business, 1985. The order took effect at once.
According to Daily Pakistan, the step sidelines the PTI-led provincial government headed by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
The federal government imposed emergency measures in the province on 11 October 2026 under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution. The proclamation said the provincial government could no longer be run in line with constitutional requirements. President Asif Ali Zardari approved the measures on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the federal government linked the step to worsening security and rising militant violence.
The governor must give Islamabad a monthly review report on how he uses the powers. An advisory council has also been established to help him oversee provincial matters.
The cabinet meeting took other decisions as well. It ratified the Pakistan-Kuwait defence cooperation agreement, approved new currency note designs on the finance ministry's recommendation, and approved a Rs10 coin to replace the Rs10 note.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced approval of a Rs160 billion development package for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for peace and development. He also said more than 15 million people have directly benefited from the fuel subsidy scheme, for which Rs28 billion has been released, and that the subsidy will continue until December.
The Express Tribune reported on 9 November that the TTAP has sought judicial review of the governor's rule and the emergency in the province.
Background
khabr.pk reported on 8 November that Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said the fight against terrorism needs greater political ownership, and that a new plan proposes Rs59.8 billion for the police and Rs10.3 billion for the CTD.
Why it matters for Pakistan
The decision changes who runs day-to-day administration in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province of millions of Pakistanis. Provincial departments will now work under the governor's authority, with monthly reporting to the federal government. The Rs160 billion development package announced for the province is also part of the cabinet's decisions.
