Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a stronghold of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, and the PTI-led government there will be sidelined under Sunday’s extraordinary constitutional measures.
PTI chairman Gohar Ali Khan called the move “an extremely alarming and grave political mistake and an undemocratic measure”.
“The people will never accept such actions against their rights,” he posted on X.
An increased security presence could be seen in Peshawar, the provincial capital, on Sunday, according to an AFP reporter, and roads in other cities in the province also remained closed.
PTI supporters began “long march” demonstrations between towns and cities throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa a week ago, after talks with the government broke down.
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Khan, a hugely popular former cricket star, has been behind bars since August 2023 and faces scores of charges ranging from corruption to treason and inciting violence, following widespread anti-establishment riots in May that year.
He and his legal team reject the allegations, branding them as politically motivated cases aimed at neutralising his popularity.