The Pakistani government has declared a state of emergency and imposed direct federal rule in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, located on the border with Afghanistan.
Modern.az reports that, according to "Dawn" newspaper, the decision was made after President Asif Ali Zardari approved the recommendations of the Cabinet.
The security situation in the province was discussed at an emergency government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
A statement from the Prime Minister's office said that the issue of the provincial government's "deliberate exclusion" from the fight against terrorism was considered, and the president was advised to use his constitutional powers.
In addition, the federal government has authorized the deployment of military forces and equipment to support civilian authorities. Containers have been installed around Peshawar, the administrative center of the province, and police forces have been strengthened.
