On CM Sohail Afridi’s directive, the assembly withdrew amendments and sent them for redrafting
KP assembly in session. PHOTO AFP
PESHAWAR:
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has been forced to withdraw changes to the Members’ Privileges and Immunities Act after facing intense public and political criticism.
On instructions from Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, a special assembly committee agreed to withdraw the amendments and referred the matter back to the Privileges Committee for preparation of a new draft.
Provincial Information Minister Shafi Jan announced the decision after a three-hour meeting of the special committee chaired by chairman Babar Saleem Swati. The meeting was attended by opposition leader Dr. Ebadullah, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl’s Maulana Lutfur Rehman, Pakistan People’s Party’s Ahmed Kundi, Awami National Party’s Arbab Usman, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Parliamentarians’ Arbab Waseem and provincial ministers, Jan Akbar Alabambam.
Briefing the media after the meeting, Jan said the changes drew sharp objections from the media, voters and PTI workers. A cabinet meeting was subsequently held where it was decided to withdraw the disputed paragraphs on the Chief Minister’s directives.
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“The matter has been referred to the Privileges Committee which will review the entire Act within 10 days. The revised draft will then be presented to the Cabinet for approval and later tabled in the Provincial Assembly,” he said.
Jan emphasized that the current assembly was a “Form-45 assembly” that respected public opinion. He said opposition leaders and parliamentary leaders were duly consulted during the process. Objections were specifically raised to clauses relating to blue passports, licenses and ID cards for family members of lawmakers.
“The 1988 law will be restored,” Jan said, adding that the draft presented to the cabinet was different from the one later presented in the assembly. He maintained that the government was not keeping the legislation secret.
The minister alleged that the controversy was deliberately raised to suppress the “Ishaq Dar case”. “PTI will continue to pursue the Ishaq Dar case and will present the facts soon. Evidence in the case is being destroyed,” he claimed.
Jan questioned why the media did not highlight the case involving Dar’s relative, citing the alleged abduction and rape of two foreign women. “PTI is working on this matter. It is said that PTI has been asked to keep quiet, but we will not keep quiet. Anyone who does not want to talk about this issue should resign from their post,” he asserted.
The Minister noted that the Privileges Committee itself had supported the action. Similar laws had been passed by other provincial assemblies and former legislators in other provinces are enjoying blue passport facilities, but the issue had never been raised before them, he claimed.
