Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday challenged the federal government, saying any attempt to impose governor rule in the province would be met with resistance.

“If the federal government has the courage, let them try imposing governor rule. We are not afraid,” Afridi added, stressing that the province is already under the leadership of PTI founder Imran Khan and does not need any alternative administration.

The chief minister said those enforcing “closed-door policies” in KP should realise the consequences of their actions.

The statement came in response to comments by Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarrar in the National Assembly, who indicated that governor rule could be enforced if law and order deteriorated in the province.

CM Afridi countered sharply, accusing critics of failing to understand the political realities in KP.

Senator Faisal Vawda also criticised the KP government, saying that Sohail Afridi should fulfil his responsibilities and warned that if lawlessness occurs in the province, governor’s rule could be imposed.

Former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser also strongly rejected the notion of governor rule, describing it as an attack on the country’s largest political party.

Meanwhile, the PTI’s joint parliamentary party convened a meeting in Islamabad, chaired by party chairman Barrister Gohar Khan.

The meeting included senior leaders Salman Akram Raja, Allama Nasir Abbas, Asad Qaiser, and Amir Dogar.

The party’s statement condemned talks of governor rule in KP and described any attempt to destabilise the provincial government as “unacceptable and politically dangerous.”

The PTI emphasised that the KP government was elected with a strong public mandate and warned that any interference could have serious consequences.

A unanimous resolution was passed by the PTI parliamentarian, urging the protection of law and order, the facilitation of Imran Khan’s family and party leadership visits, and the rejection of the recent by-election results.

Special Assistant to the KP CM on Information, Shafiq Jan, speaking in Aaj News’ programme “News Insight with Amir Zia,” said that the governor’s rule is unconstitutional and illegal.

He added that if the federal government proceeds with such a move, the province is prepared to resist fully.

Jan said the PTI plans to approach the High Court on Tuesday to seek hearings on Imran Khan’s cases and ensure family access to the party leader.

“Should the governor rule be imposed, we will resist strongly and mobilise public protests on the streets,” Shafiq Jan warned, reiterating the party’s determination to protect KP’s autonomy and public mandate.