Saturday night saw a flurry of meetings in Islamabad to deliberate on the country's overall political and security situation amid intense friction between the Centre and the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government on the issue of terrorism in the province and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's long march to Islamabad that has led to threats of imposing federal rule. In a post on X, the Presidency said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari met at the Aiwan-e-Sadr where they "exchanged views on the country's overall political and security situation". The meeting comprised senior government and PPP leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Prime Minister's Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Senator Sherry Rehman and more. "It was agreed in the meeting to convene separate sessions of the National Assembly and Senate on Tuesday," the statement said. صدرِ مملکت آصف علی زرداری سے وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی ایوانِ صدر میں ملاقات، ملک کی مجموعی سیاسی اور سیکیورٹی صورتِ حال پر تبادلہ خیال۔ ملاقات میں وزیر اعظم کی معاونت نائب وزیراعظم سینیٹر اسحاق ڈار، وزیراعظم کے مشیر برائے سیاسی امور سینیٹر رانا ثناء الّلہ، وفاقی وزیر داخلہ… pic.twitter.com/r1T1bTXTy4 — The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) October 10, 2026 Questioned about the meeting, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said on a private television channel’s talk show that a detailed discussion had taken place on the possibility of imposing an emergency, but negotiations were still under way and all options were being considered. He said the government had exhausted several avenues, including parliamentary engagement and backchannel contacts, before considering the measure, describing an emergency as a last resort for a political government. “It's definitely not a praiseworthy move and for a political government such a measure is always a last resort,” he said, adding that different levels and options of an emergency as well as other constitutional options had been discussed. Chaudhry said the government was still assessing the situation, although he saw developments moving towards what he called the “last option”. He argued that the federal government had offered to accommodate the opposition’s political demands if it agreed to support the centre’s efforts against terrorism under the National Action Plan (NAP), which he said had been developed by the PTI founder. Recalling the second day of government-opposition negotiations before the proposed long march, he said PM Shehbaz had told the interior minister that the opposition could have its political demands met if it supported the centre in the fight against terrorism. Chaudhry questioned what options would remain if the government met the opposition’s political demands but the latter did not unequivocally condemn militant groups or support counterterrorism efforts. He also alleged that the proposed long march was targeting national policy in a manner that could incite rebellion against the state. The minister said the federal government had not drafted a new counterterrorism document and was instead implementing the framework prepared under the PTI government. Responding to the PTI’s position that all stakeholders should be included in dialogue on counterterrorism, the minister questioned the provincial government’s commitment to tackling militancy. He cited the absence of counterterrorism departments, forensic laboratories and safe-city surveillance cameras, and alleged that provincial leaders had avoided attending the funerals of security personnel killed in terrorist attacks. He maintained that talks with the K-P government had never completely stopped, including through other political parties. Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam called for the imposition of governor’s rule across K-P, citing what he described as the provincial government’s failure to maintain law and order and establish its writ. “There is no writ of the government in K-P, nor does it have any [governance] priorities,” he said, alleging that terrorists were operating freely because of inadequate security arrangements and a lack of checkpoints. “We collect dead bodies every day,” he said, accusing the provincial government of failing to adequately condemn attacks on the armed forces or take decisive action against militants. Referring to the security situation in Lakki Marwat and Bannu, he said residents were increasingly reluctant to move around, while militant activity and insecurity continued to affect daily life. However, the PTI rally, suggesting support from terror outfits, moved around freely in these no-go areas at night. “We, too, are citizens of Pakistan who deserve to live in peace,” he said. Muqam argued that if the provincial government was unable to protect citizens and enforce its authority, the federal government should intervene. He thereby reiterated that governor’s rule should be implemented throughout the province for the sake of people’s well-being and safety. Speaking on talks between the opposition and the government, the minister said the negotiations with PTI and other members of the opposition had included a proposal for a joint declaration by the K-P chief minister and the interior minister explicitly condemning terrorism, but claimed that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had backed away from the proposal. He also alleged that the negotiations had failed because of the chief minister’s reluctance to call out terrorism for what it truly is, while maintaining that the delegation of opposition had been sincere in seeking a resolution of conflict and the dialogue was foiled by the chief minister. When probed whether the federal government had support of the people of K-P regarding the mulled constitutional measures including emergency imposition, Muqam claimed that 5,000 to 6,000 people had attended a rally he organised in support of peace in the province, despite short notice and an internet shutdown. He interpreted the participation as evidence of public opposition to the provincial government. The federal government’s deliberations come amid continuing political differences over the province’s security situation, the implementation of the National Action Plan and the role of the provincial administration in countering terrorism. With negotiations reportedly still in progress, an emergency or governor’s rule remains a matter under discussion rather than a confirmed decision. Later, the president held a meeting with K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in which they briefed him on the overall security situation in the country, particularly the deteriorating law and order situation in K-P. The president was informed about security matters in the province and issues related to law and order in the country. گورنر خیبر پختونخوا فیصل کریم کنڈی اور وفاقی وزیر داخلہ سینیٹر محسن نقوی کی صدرِ مملکت آصف علی زرداری سے ملاقات۔ صدرِ مملکت کو ملک کی مجموعی سیکیورٹی صورتحال، بالخصوص خیبر پختونخوا میں بگڑتی ہوئی امن و امان کی صورتحال پر بریفنگ۔ ملاقات میں خیبر پختونخوا کی سیکیورٹی اور ملک میں… pic.twitter.com/6gftMtjZkr — The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) October 10, 2026 In a post on X, Kundi said: "KP has sacrificed enough. Protecting lives and defeating terrorism must take precedence over political interests." Called on @PresOfPakistan Asif Ali Zardari alongside Federal Interior Minister Senator @MohsinnaqviC42 to brief him on the deteriorating security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the country’s overall law and order. KP has sacrificed enough. Protecting lives and defeating… pic.twitter.com/P2sikowz8t — Faisal Karim Kundi (@fkkundi) October 10, 2026 Speaking to the media elsewhere, Naqvi asked: "Is there really any room left to avoid imposing an emergency? You tell me, how can this matter be averted? Ask them just how much effort I have made to find a solution. They will tell you themselves the extent of the efforts Mohsin Naqvi has made to resolve the issue." The interior minister reiterated that there was "no room left now". Fazl's role in mediation Amid the friction between the Centre and K-P, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has once again jumped into the fray as a possible mediator. He held a meeting with the premier at the PM House, in which consultations were held on "important national and political matters". وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف اور سربراہ جمیعت علماء اسلام مولانا فضل الرحمن کے درمیان وزیر اعظم ہاؤس میں ملاقات، اہم قومی و سیاسی امور پر مشاورت ہوئی. pic.twitter.com/6rI4uWUadF — Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) October 10, 2026 The JUI said the meeting took place at PM Shehbaz's invitation and the PTI leadership was taken into confidence as well before leaving for the talks. وزیر اعظم مولانا فضل الرحمان ملاقات مولانا فضل الرحمان اپنی رہائش گاہ سے وزیراعظم ہاؤس روانہ ہو گئے۔ ترجمان جےیوآئی ملاقات وزیر اعظم کی دعوت پر ہو رہی ہے۔ ترجمان جےیوآئی وفد میں سنیٹر مولانا عطاء الحق درویش۔ مولانا لطف الرحمان ۔ اور سنیٹر کامران مرتضی شامل ہیں۔اسلم غوری… — Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Pakistan (@juipakofficial) October 10, 2026 The meeting came after PM Shehbaz and Fazl earlier discussed ways to ease tensions between the federal and K-P governments during a telephone conversation, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. “Fazl also spoke to the prime minister about reducing tensions between the federal government and the K-P government,” the statement added. وزیراعظم شہباز شریف کا مولانا فضل الرحمان سے ٹیلی فونک رابطہ۔@CMShehbaz pic.twitter.com/BJ90XusJtz — PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) October 10, 2026 JUI-F spokesperson Aslam Ghauri, in a statement released by the party's media cell, said the two leaders had discussed the current political situation and the ongoing tensions between the federal and K-P governments. Ghauri added that Fazl remained in regular contact with the PTI leadership and had taken it into confidence as part of efforts to ease political tensions in the country. ترجمان:جےیوآئی 10 اکتوبر اسلام آباد: وزیراعظم میاں شہباز شریف کا امیر جے یو آئی مولانا فضل الرحمان سے ٹیلی فونک رابطہ وزیراعظم میاں شہباز شریف کی امیر جے یو آئی مولانا فضل الرحمان سے موجودہ سیاسی صورتحال پر گفتگو ہوئی ۔ خیبرپختونخوا حکومت اور وفاق کے درمیان جاری تناؤ ختم کرنے… — Aslam Ghauri (@AslamGhauriJUI) October 10, 2026 Speaking to The Express Tribune, PTI Secretary Information Sheikh Waqas Akram said that the party would welcome a positive and effective role by Fazl in reducing the ongoing political tensions and uncertainty in the country. Akram stated that his intervention would be “welcomed”, adding that PTI would appreciate his efforts in this regard. He emphasised that Pakistan needed political wisdom, patience, serious and meaningful initiatives, and dialogue rather than confrontation to address the current political challenges. Muqam, Kundi slam PTI Earlier, Muqam and Governor Kundi held a meeting at the Governor House in Peshawar, state-run Radio Pakistan reported. During the meeting, they discussed the overall law and order situation in K-P, the ongoing long march, and other significant political matters. Expressing their gratitude to the people of K-P, both leaders said that the public has rejected the "politics of chaos". A joint statement issued after the meeting affirmed that the federal government would take all possible measures to ensure peace and promote public welfare and development in the province. Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor @fkkundi held a meeting at the Governor House in Peshawar today. During the meeting, they discussed the overall law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa#News #RadioPakistan… — Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) October 10, 2026 Political deadlock The contact came as the PTI’s long march is scheduled to travel from Charsadda to Mardan on Saturday, amid efforts to revive dialogue between the government and opposition. Fazl has emerged as a possible intermediary as efforts to revive negotiations continue. PTI K-P President Junaid Akbar said the party had authorised the JUI-F chief to mediate between the government and opposition, while PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan called for unconditional dialogue and urged both sides to find a way forward. The latest efforts followed two rounds of negotiations between the government and opposition that ended without an agreement. The sides remained divided over PTI’s demand for access to its jailed founder, Imran Khan, and the role of the K-P government in determining counterterrorism policy. PTI said a joint strategy involving the federal and provincial governments was needed, while the government maintained that cooperation from the provincial administration was essential. Efforts to resume dialogue have continued as the long march advances, with PTI leaders pressing for renewed negotiations while government figures have urged the party to reconsider its protest. The march began on October 4 after the initial attempts to reach an agreement failed, and its route is subsequently scheduled to take the convoy through Charsadda and Mardan before reaching Swabi. PTI has said it would announce its next course of action after reaching Swabi. The political standoff has also fuelled speculation about possible emergency measures and changes to K-P’s administrative structure. Reports citing sources have suggested that a proposal to establish a separate administrative arrangement for 12 districts is under consideration. Sources have said that the federal government is weighing options including governor’s rule and an emergency as tensions with the provincial government deepen.