Lahore: Jamiat Ulema e Islam Fazl (JUI F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Saturday rejected allegations by federal ministers that he had sought a share in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's administration following the imposition of emergency and governor's rule.

At a press conference in Lahore, Fazl said his criticism of the country's security situation targeted government policies rather than state institutions. He described the ministers' accusations as an attempt to damage his reputation.

The federal government imposed emergency and governor's rule in KP on October 11, 2026, citing the provincial administration's alleged failure to cooperate in counterterrorism efforts.

Fazl called for an in camera parliamentary session to review the security situation and, in consultation with political parties, develop a counterterrorism strategy.

He questioned why terrorism continued despite successive security operations and argued that Parliament should be involved in national security decisions.

The JUI F chief also criticised the decision making process, alleging that policies were being formulated outside Parliament and implemented without consultation.

He opposed imposing emergency rule in KP, citing his family's opposition to similar measures in Balochistan during the 1970s.

Fazl questioned why KP had been placed under governor's rule when Balochistan was also experiencing terrorist violence.

He further asked why the government had negotiated with Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) before the intervention if it believed the party was supporting militant groups.

Referring to attacks against JUI F members, Fazl said approximately 250 party workers had been killed in terrorist violence and rejected suggestions that his party sympathised with militants.

His remarks followed criticism from Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who alleged that an unnamed political leader was dissatisfied after failing to secure the KP governorship.

Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry subsequently accused Fazl of seeking political representation in the province's administrative arrangements.

Speaking in Jaranwala, Chaudhry said the intervention aimed to address terrorism rather than redistribute political power.

He rejected allegations that the federal government sought control over KP's mineral resources and said the administration had been established to implement counterterrorism measures.

Chaudhry also accused PTI of maintaining links with the Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), although he did not present independent evidence establishing such a relationship.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif criticised Fazl's statements about the security forces and said the government had consulted opposition leaders before imposing governor's rule.

Speaking in Sialkot, Asif said Parliament could reverse the emergency measures if the province's security situation improved.

KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also responded to Fazl's criticism and defended the administration established under governor's rule.

The dispute follows negotiations between the federal government and PTI over political tensions and security arrangements in KP.

Fazl had helped facilitate dialogue between the two sides before the intervention, but the negotiations ended without an agreement.

Opposition parties have criticised the federal measures, while the government maintains that they were necessary to address the province's security challenges.