Pakistan authorises military deployment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under Article 245 as Peshawar faces heightened security, road closures and reported communication disruptions.

The federal government has authorised the deployment of Pakistan Army troops and military assets in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to assist civil authorities following the imposition of an emergency and governor’s rule in the province, according to a notification issued by the Interior Ministry on Oct. 11, 2026.

The authorisation was issued under Article 245 of the Constitution and aims to protect citizens, safeguard public and private property, and secure government buildings and other important installations.

According to the notification, the deployment will remain in effect for the duration of the emergency and governor’s rule. KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, in consultation with the Military Operations Directorate at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, will determine the number of troops and military resources required.

Security tightened across Peshawar

Security measures were intensified across Peshawar following the government’s decision. Authorities placed shipping containers at several major intersections and roads to restrict movement, particularly around the provincial capital’s Red Zone, which houses key government offices and security installations.

Large numbers of police officers and other law enforcement personnel were deployed near the Governor House, Chief Minister’s House, Central Police Office and Civil Secretariat.

Several roads were blocked or partially closed, causing traffic congestion and forcing commuters to use alternative routes. Access to several areas of the cantonment was also restricted.

Public transport services faced disruptions, while reports indicated that stations on Peshawar’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network had been closed.

Mobile networks and broadband services were also reported to have been suspended in parts of the provincial capital, disrupting communications and access to banking services.

Federal and provincial governments at odds

The latest measures come amid growing disagreements between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz-led federal government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led KP administration over counterterrorism measures and security policy.

PTI has accused the federal government of excluding provincial leaders from key security decisions. The party has also called for a review of the counterterrorism strategy and opposed military operations, according to the supplied report.

The federal government, meanwhile, has criticised the provincial administration’s approach to tackling militancy.

The developments have added to political uncertainty as authorities prepare for possible protests and public disturbances.

Educational institutions to remain closed

The Peshawar administration announced that all public and private schools, colleges and universities in the district would remain closed on Monday, Oct. 12, citing the prevailing situation.

Separately, the opposition alliance Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP) encountered difficulties arranging a press conference in Islamabad after KP House was sealed and the National Press Club declined to host the event.

The Army deployment authorisation, tightened security arrangements, reported communication disruptions and closure of educational institutions underscore the heightened security concerns and political tensions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The duration and scale of the military deployment will depend on the applicable emergency and governor’s rule arrangements, with the governor and the Military Operations Directorate tasked with determining the required military resources.