PESHAWAR:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has ordered a review of controversial amendments to the KP Assembly Members’ Powers, Privileges and Benefits Act, 2026, following widespread public and media criticism, and ordered that all contentious provisions be reconsidered in consultation with parliament leaders.
During a meeting of the provincial cabinet on Wednesday, CM Afridi said that the draft parliamentarians’ privileges bill, which had been approved by the cabinet, was later amended after being sent to the provincial assembly. He noted that the amendments had come under sustained criticism in the media over the past two to three days.
The chief minister said he had met the Speaker of the KP Assembly Babar Saleem Swati and asked him to call a meeting of all parliamentary leaders represented in the provincial assembly.
“The meeting should thoroughly review all provisions that have drawn objections from the people of KP and the journalist community and make necessary revisions,” he said.
Afridi expressed hope that the amendments to the bill would be reconsidered and that all future steps would be taken in accordance with public interest and public opinion.
Meanwhile, amid growing public debate on the powers, privileges and benefits of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Members, 2026, both the Treasury and opposition lawmakers defended the legislation, arguing that several misconceptions were being spread about the law.
Addressing a joint press conference in the provincial assembly with senior opposition lawmakers, provincial minister for information and public relations Shafi Jan said unnecessary confusion had been created over the legislation approved by the assembly.
He said allegations circulating on social media and in sections of the media about the law had no basis and many of the issues discussed were not even part of the plot.
According to the minister, the legislation was not an entirely new law but merely amendments to the existing 1988 law. He maintained that the provincial cabinet had not approved any new provision that did not already exist in the 1988 legislation.
Jan clarified that the draft approved by the cabinet did not contain any provision granting lifetime blue passports to members of the provincial assembly or passports to their family members.
He said these changes were introduced in the assembly after the bill was tabled, adding that the opposition had proposed the changes.
PPP parliamentary leader Ahmad Karim Kundi defended the legislation, saying legislation was the constitutional prerogative of the provincial assembly.
He revealed that a proposal to give the speaker of the assembly a red pass had also been mooted, arguing that since a governor could hold a red pass and a speaker could eventually become governor, the speaker should also be entitled to the facility.
ANP Parliamentary Leader Arbab Usman said the province was facing several challenges and crises and elected representatives should have better facilities to perform their duties effectively.
PML-N MPA Sobia Shahid said all provincial laws regarding the privileges of legislators had been examined before the law was drafted.
