ISLAMABAD: A joint sitting of parliament on Thursday approved the federal government`s imposition of emergency and governor`s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amid a strong protest from the opposition.

The session had been summoned to consider separate resolutions on the two measures imposed in the PTI-ruled province on Oct 11, as the government cited the provincial administration`s alleged `deliberate disengagement` from the fight against terrorism.

The move followed weeks of tensions between the Centre and PTI, as well as negotiations aimed at bridging differences, after the opposition party announced a protest march seeking the release of its jailed founder, Imran Khan.

Opposition members attended the joint sitting carrying placards bearing slogans such as `emergency na manzoor` (emergency is unacceptable).

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended part of the proceedings and shook hands with opposition leaders in both houses.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry tabled the proclamations and resolutions relating to the emergency and governor`s rule.

Earlier, he moved a motion under Rule 232 of the Parliament (Joint Sitting) Rules, 1973, to suspend certain sub-rules to allow the resolutions to be moved. Amid loud opposition protests, the motion was adopted by 214 votes to 56.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, opening the debate, said treasury members were ready to respond to any questions raised by the opposition and explained the constitutional procedure for approval of the proclamations.

After hours of debate, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq put the two resolutions to a vote as opposition members continued chanting against the emergency. Both resolutions were passed.

The joint sitting came a day after both houses of parliament separately endorsed the proclamation of emergency.

Under Article 232 of the Constitution, if the president issues a proclamation of emergency on his own, it must be placed before both houses for approval within 10 days.

A proclamation of governor`s rule under Article 234 must be placed before a joint sitting and ceases to operate after two months unless extended by parliament. It cannot remain in force for more than six months.

Govt defends move Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the federal government had been left with `no option` but to impose emergency and governor`s rule and insisted that it had tried until the last moment to avoid such a step.

`By God, our hearts did not want to do this,` he said, urging the opposition not to accuse the government of exploiting terrorism for political purposes.

Mr Naqvi rejected PTI`s claim that the government delegation had walked out of negotiations, stressing that the Centre remained engaged until the end.

He said the government had proposed declaring an emergency in 12 districts of KP and claimed PTI leader Asad Qaiserhad initially been willing to sign an agreement, but was advised to consult the provincial government.

The interior minister acknowledged that PTI representatives involved in the talks had taken a clear position against terrorism, but said the Centre and province could not pursue `two different policies` on the issue.

He criticised Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, whose role became nonfunctional after the imposition of governor`s rule, for insufficient engagement with counterterrorism efforts.

He claimed that Mr Afridi had not gone to the site of `even a single operation with the army and only used to say, `I cannot afford this politically` .

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar later defended the measures as a `difficult decision` taken in accordance with the Constitution.

He recalled previous counterterrorism operations and the National Action Plan adopted after the 2014 Army Public School attack, arguing that terrorism had to be addressed before political differences.

Mr Dar alleged that certain individuals within PTI had contributed to policies that allowed terrorists to regain space, while stressing that he did not regard the party as a whole as supportive of terrorism.

He also criticised Mr Afridi for political mobilisation while KP faced a worsening security situation, insisting that governance in the province had `collapsed`.

PTI rejects allegations PTI interim chairmanBarrister Gohar Ali Khan strongly rejected allegations that the provincial government had supported terrorists and sought an apology from the prime minister.

`The prime minister has alleged that we are supporting terrorists. We are disappointed to hear that. You have to apologise to the entire population of KP and us,` he said.

He warned that portraying a federating unit as supporting terrorism could have serious implications for Pakistan internationally.

Barrister Gohar rejected both the emergency and governor`s rule as unconstitutional and said PTI would challenge the measures at every available forum.

He also disputed government claims that PTI had caused the breakdown of talks and urged the Centre not to politicise terrorism.

National AssemblyOpposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai also opposed the measures and blamed `faulty decisions` by successive rulers for the current security situation.

He said the opposition was ready for dialogue on strengthening parliament and eliminating terrorism, and sought meetings between Imran Khan and his family, friends and party workers.

Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas also accused the government delegation of derailing negotiations and said more time should have been allowed for dialogue.

PPP, JUI-F raise concerns PPP Vice President Sherry Rehman disputed PTPs account of the Oct 3 talks, insisting that the government delegation had remained at the negotiating table and was prepared to continue discussions late into the night.She said President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal BhuttoZardari had consistently favoured dialogue, while stressing that terrorism remained a `red line` for the party.

However, she said the PPP would not support any emergency that violated the Constitution.

`If you think PPP is going to support any sort of emergency which is against the Constitution, you are wrong,` she said.

JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza, who had earlier submitted a resolution opposing governor`s rule, argued that parliament had not been provided documentary evidence justifying the decision.

He said a proclamation under Article 234 required a report from the KP governor and contended that no such report explaining the necessity for governor`s rule had been presented before parliament.