Islamabad: The federal government is considering imposing an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under Article 232 of the Constitution, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters at Parliament House, Chaudhry linked the proposal to terrorism in the province and accused the KP government of failing to control the security situation. He said the provincial administration’s lack of success in addressing terrorism was behind discussions on invoking Article 232.

The statement comes as tensions continue between the federal government and the PTI led provincial administration ahead of PTI’s planned march towards Islamabad on October 4. The party said the protest is part of its campaign to secure the release of its founder, Imran Khan.

Federal ministers have discussed both an emergency and governor’s rule as possible constitutional measures in KP. The government has cited the security situation, while the planned PTI march has also contributed to the dispute between the Centre and the province.

The federal government could consult the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) if it decided to proceed with an emergency. PPP Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bukhari said his party would respond in accordance with the Constitution and law if consulted over governor’s rule.

He also called for dialogue to resolve political issues.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan opposed both an emergency and governor’s rule, saying neither would resolve the dispute over the planned march. PTI has maintained that its October 4 protest will be peaceful and will proceed as scheduled.

The discussions come amid continuing differences between the Centre and KP over security policy and the planned protest, with no decision on imposing an emergency announced so far.