Pakistan's Federal Government Takes Control of Opposition-Led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province

Pakistan's federal, or central, government has taken control of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province led by the opposition, according to The New York Times. The move shifts the running of the province from local opposition leadership to the central authorities.

The government's justification

The federal government defends its decision by pointing to conditions in the province. It speaks of “a severe breakdown in law and order” in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which it links to militant violence.

Who is now in charge

The government has named an official who is politically allied with it to take charge of the province. A province previously led by the opposition is therefore now overseen by someone close to the central government.

Why it matters

The step is politically sensitive: the central government is assuming control of a region run by its political rivals and justifying this on security grounds. The information available does not detail how the decision will be carried out, how long it will last or how the province's leadership will respond.