Pakistan declares state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Pakistan's presidential office announced on Sunday that the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be placed under emergency law.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar confirmed at a press conference that the provincial government had been dissolved.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is considered a stronghold of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Thousands of Khan's supporters there had been protesting demanding his release and criticizing the government over the difficult economic situation.

The emergency decision came after prolonged agitation and anti-government protests in the province. Immediately after the decision was made public, PTI lawmaker Junaid Akbar claimed that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and the party's provincial chairman had been arrested.

Government spokespersons did not immediately respond to the arrest claims.