Hundreds of Imran Khan's party members arrested after emergency declared in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Police in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have detained about 278 members of former prime minister Imran Khan's party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), after a state of emergency was imposed in the province. Two police officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the arrests have been underway since Sunday.

President Asif Ali Zardari declared the emergency and suspended the PTI-led provincial government following an anti-government demonstration on Sunday demanding Khan's release. According to Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, the province will now be governed by the governor for an initial term of six months.

The federal government has accused the provincial government of failing to curb rising militant violence in the province, which borders Afghanistan. PTI has protested the emergency, calling it undemocratic.

According to the party, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has been arrested, and an administrative official said he has been placed in protective custody at his official residence. Khan's supporters, expressing discontent over the difficult economic situation, have been protesting, with thousands joining a march.

Because of the emergency, the Pakistan Cricket Board has shifted the Peshawar and Abbottabad matches of the Presidents' Trophy, scheduled from Wednesday, to Sheikhupura and Lahore.