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States of Emergency - Centre for Policy Alternatives

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A state <strong>of</strong> emergency is brought into being by Proclamation made<br />

by the President, 273 which brings into operation the provisions <strong>of</strong><br />

the Public Security Ordinance as amended. 274 This includes the<br />

power to make emergency regulations by the President having the<br />

legal effect <strong>of</strong> overriding, amending or suspending the provisions<br />

<strong>of</strong> any law except the constitution. 275 The same applies to statutes<br />

<strong>of</strong> Provincial Councils, which may be overridden, amended or<br />

suspended by emergency regulations. 276<br />

The sole discretion in issuing a Proclamation declaring a state <strong>of</strong><br />

emergency is vested in the President, but which must be <strong>for</strong>thwith<br />

communicated to Parliament. 277 The Proclamation is at Lirst<br />

instance valid <strong>for</strong> a period <strong>of</strong> fourteen days and any continuation<br />

in <strong>for</strong>ce is subject to the approval <strong>of</strong> Parliament. 278 If Parliament<br />

does not approve a Proclamation made under Article 155 (3), the<br />

declaration <strong>of</strong> emergency immediately ceases to be valid or <strong>of</strong> any<br />

<strong>for</strong>ce in law (but without prejudice to anything lawfully done<br />

thereunder). 279<br />

The Chapter sets out detailed rules as to how the approval <strong>of</strong><br />

Parliament is to be obtained including provision <strong>for</strong> its immediate<br />

summoning if it stands adjourned, prorogued or dissolved. Subject<br />

273<br />

Article 155 (3)<br />

274<br />

Article 155 (1)<br />

275<br />

Article 155 (2)<br />

276<br />

Article 155 (3A) introduced by the Thirteenth Amendment to the<br />

Constitution (1987)<br />

277<br />

Article 155 (4)<br />

278<br />

Article 155 (6)<br />

279<br />

Article 155 (8)<br />

178

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