Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday urged the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to return to political engagement, adding that imposing governor's rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa would be a "political atomic bomb". “You will not disappoint the voter in K-P if you amend your politics, return to parliamentary committees and interact with other political parties. Politics is a day-to-day affair, and you can improve your political position,” he stated while addressing an inauguration ceremony of a sports complex in Karachi's Baldia Town. Bilawal underscored that while introducing governor's rule or an emergency in K-P was a "constitutional and legal option" for the PPP, it was tantamount to a “political atomic bomb” and should only be considered as a measure of "last resort". "It was the PPP that suggested that PTI should be engaged politically and an emergency not be imposed, because we know that if an emergency is imposed in K-P, then the political space for political parties will shrink and that would reduce the space for all political parties in the country. Imposing an emergency in K-P is an atomic bomb and will only be considered as the last resort". Bilawal stated that for PTI to restore its “lost political standing”, the party must renounce the “politics of extremism” if it was “true to their leader Imran Khan” and engage with other political parties through political means. Read: PTI warns of quitting assemblies if governor's rule imposed in K-P پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی کے چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری نے کراچی کے بلدیہ ٹاؤن میں 25 ایکڑ پر مشتمل کے ایم سی اسپورٹس کمپلکس کا افتتاح کردیا، جہاں نوجوانوں کے لئے ہاکی گراؤنڈ، باسکٹ بال کورٹ، ٹینس کورٹ، ریس ٹریک، فٹ بال گراؤنڈ، کرکٹ گراؤنڈ اور کرکٹ نیٹ پریکٹس کی سہولیات ہیں جبکہ دو… pic.twitter.com/V3dnBHJbP2 — PPP (@MediaCellPPP) October 9, 2026 “If PTI renounces the politics of extremism, then they will save their politics, their government and also, sooner or later, their political leadership. This is evident in the history of Pakistan”. Bilawal further noted that if PTI’s politics continued to revolve around extremism, then “Imran shall remain a prisoner and would even break President Zardari’s record of incarceration”. Responding to a question on negotiations with PTI, the PPP chairman said PTI had harmed itself politically by sabotaging the talks, adding that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman should play his role in the negotiation process. “We do not want that the last option for the PPP of governor's rule or emergency should be exercised, but it seems that K-P CM is leaving no space for political engagement and is actively working towards the imposition of governor's rule in the province”. Bilawal further questioned why K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi wanted to sabotage the political process of dialogue and negotiations, further adding that democratic forces such as the PPP were consequently forced to confront the possibility of an emergency, especially given the external and internal security situation of the country and K-P in particular. “Given the security situation in K-P and the refusal of the provincial government to cooperate in terrorism, how can I legally say that an emergency should not be imposed in the province? It is because of the role of K-P CM that an emergency is being considered in the province.” While talking about Gilgit-Baltistan and South Punjab, Bilawal said that his party would follow the will of the people concerning making new provinces and would support any resolution put forward by the elected representatives for this purpose. "However, if you do not have the support of the people, and want to do it forcefully, then you can continue with your efforts by seeking the mandate of the people". Bilawal says some parties want to turn Karachi youth into criminals Bilawal further stated that there were "some political forces that want to make the youth of this city into criminals", but asserted that the PPP wanted to see the youth "with pens in their hands, not weapons". While speaking about the sports complex, Bilawal said that the city's municipal system had inaugurated the complex so the youth were able to engage in positive activities. "PPP wants to see the youth play, and does not want to see them involved in crime," Bilawal stressed, adding that he was hopeful the youth would take advantage of the sports complex and that it would be taken care of "so the youth here can always be provided this facility". “میں نے آج کراچی میں کے ایم سی اسپورٹس کمپلیکس کا افتتاح کیا ہے، میں کراچی کے نوجوانوں کو مبارکباد دینا چاہتا ہوں کہ ان کیلئے کے ایم سی نے یہ اسپورٹس کمپلیکس قائم کیا، ہم چاہتے ہیں کہ ہمارے نوجوانوں کو مثبت سرگرمیوں کا موقع ملے، کچھ سیاسی قوتیں شہر کے نوجوانوں کو کرمنل بنانا… pic.twitter.com/Jyl1PtFKif — PPP (@MediaCellPPP) October 9, 2026 Bilawal added: "If you review the entire nation, there is only one political party that wants to do positive politics and the rest of the political parties, whether those of this city, want to do the politics of hatred, division, and fighting." Kundi calls PTI long march a 'circus', warns of consequences if it triggers unrest Separately, K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi warned the PTI leadership of serious consequences if its long march resulted in unrest, challenging party leaders to lead the protest themselves rather than sending workers to the front. Addressing a press conference in Peshawar, the governor challenged the PTI leadership to cross Swabi on Friday if it had the courage to do so. Kundi also criticised the K-P government for its confrontational approach towards the federal government, saying a province had to be administered in coordination with the centre. Dismissing the march, he said: “It is not a long march; it is a circus moving from one city to another.” He added that the PTI’s May 9 protests continued to damage the party’s image and warned that any fresh attempt to create a similar situation would have consequences that future generations would remember. “They say the workers should go into the protest without leaders. Where will you hide? If you dare, the leaders must come first. I know how to deal with you all,” he said. The governor further said he knew how to defend the Governor House and was prepared to take responsibility for the consequences of the punitive measures he had ordered, whether minor or serious. “I do not engage in mere rhetoric; I take action,” Kundi said, adding that the PTI should learn from the consequences of its previous confrontations and guide future generations towards democratic politics. He advised the protesters to study Articles 149 and 131 of the Constitution, as well as Schedule Four, to understand the relevant legal provisions. He also announced that he would convene a meeting to discuss the law and order situation. Highlighting recent terrorist attacks in K-P, including incidents in Karak and Khyber, Kundi criticised the PTI leadership for its failure to condemn such attacks. “They never condemn these attacks,” he said, adding that the party lacked the courage to challenge terrorist groups. The governor also criticised the provincial government for failing to provide adequate resources and fair remuneration to the police and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel deployed on the front lines. He accused the PTI-led provincial government of seeking control over the police rather than facilitating the force in carrying out its duties. “All they care about is ‘conquering’ Islamabad,” he said, dismissing the party’s long march as “a drama, an act”. Kundi said he regularly raised the issue of counterterrorism in his communications with the prime minister, president and interior minister, describing the fight against terrorism as his foremost priority. “Terrorism is our red line; our party and many other parties have lost their leaders in attacks,” he said, adding that preventing terrorist groups from gaining ground in the province was a shared priority. “We will not let terrorists prevail in our province. This is our one-point agenda,” he said. He further said the K-P government should formulate and present its own security policy if it disagreed with the federal government’s approach, either on the floor of the provincial assembly or at a press conference. “They have never done that,” he said, questioning whether the PTI leadership intended to follow policies dictated by Kabul, Jalalabad and Kandahar. He accused the party of distancing itself from discussions on counterterrorism and said its approach could not be allowed to undermine peace and stability in the province. “Doesn’t this province deserve peace, progress and wellbeing?” he asked. The governor said he would provide the federal government with an assessment of the ground situation whenever requested, adding that the security challenges facing the province were evident to all. He added that he had little hope of progress with the PTI leadership, accusing it of adopting positions that he believed were contrary to the country’s interests. Kundi further said Parliament was the most appropriate forum for negotiations with the PTI, while questioning the authority of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi in decision-making. Responding to a question about inviting the PTI for negotiations, Kundi said: “There is no forum bigger than the parliament for debate.” He stated that the leaders of the PPP, PML-N and PTI had participated in previous talks, but the decision-making authority rested with someone who had “probably escaped the country”. He added that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had also reiterated the need for reconciliation and dialogue with the PTI leadership within the constitutional framework. However, he said, some parties were unwilling to pursue that approach, leaving little room for progress. Kundi questioned the provincial government’s ability to maintain law and order and protect its elected representatives. “You should know who are kidnapping your people since you are the chief executive of the province. If you cannot protect your lawmakers, how will you protect the province and its people?” he asked. He said the chief minister should have resigned instead of complaining about the abduction of lawmakers. Highlighting the province’s administrative challenges, Kundi said doctors, university faculty members, nurses, teachers and employees of tehsil municipal administrations (TMAs) were on strike over various grievances. He accused the provincial government of focusing on financial gains rather than resolving the problems confronting public-sector employees and government departments. Kundi further stated that the province needed effective governance and pledged to protect its people and confront terrorism. “We will protect our province and fight against the terrorists on the front line,” he said, adding that his government would teach the provincial administration how to run the province. Commenting on the possibility of imposing governor’s rule or an emergency in the province, he said the decision rested with the prime minister and the president, who were better placed to determine whether such a measure was necessary. Background of debate on imposition of governor's rule in K-P The issue of Governor’s Rule has become a major point of contention between the federal and K-P government. On September 21, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the government was consulting the law ministry on legal options for the province, including Governor’s Rule, if the PTI proceeded with its long march. Two days later, however, Information Minister Atta Tarar ruled out any plan to impose Governor’s Rule, saying the federal government had no intention of removing the PTI administration. Read More: Govt 'seriously' considering imposing emergency in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa: Tariq Fazal Some federal ministers publicly raised the possibility of federal intervention in K-P. Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam said consultations were under way on the "constitutional and legal option" of imposing Governors' Rule. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar also said if constitutional conditions for such a step or an emergency were met, it could be implemented. K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi separately warned the provincial government against creating a situation that could force the Centre to impose Governors' Rule. K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi warned that the PTI would "rebel" if necessary to force a change in the federal government policies that were "harming the province". Also Read: Afridi threatens revolt to 'force change' Afridi, however, rejected the warnings and said he would not retreat from his position because of threats of Governors' Rule or an emergency. He also said PTI supporters could take to the streets at short notice if an attempt was made to remove him. The developments come amid continued tensions following PTI's announcement of an Islamabad march. Reports have also emerged about the possible disqualification of the chief minister, his replacement, an in-house change, dissolution of the assembly and a no-confidence motion against him under Article 136 of the Constitution. The no-confidence motion can be submitted to the assembly secretariat with signatures of 20% of the total membership, following which an assembly session is to be convened within three to seven days on a single-point agenda. The assembly rules lay down the procedure for a no-confidence motion. After the motion is moved in the house, voting is held through a secret ballot, with members expressing their choice in two separate lobbies. If the motion succeeds, the speaker will issue a schedule for the election of a new chief minister. The Constitution also provides for the governor to require the chief minister to seek a vote of confidence under Article 130(7). If the governor believes the chief minister has lost the confidence of the majority in the house, the chief minister is required to demonstrate his numerical strength in the assembly.