Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday declared a state of emergency in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan and suspended its government, which is led by imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party, ahead of a planned march on Islamabad by supporters demanding his release.

Zardari acted on the recommendation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's Cabinet, according to a statement from the president's office.

The measures place the province under the authority of the governor, who represents the federal government.