KP Assembly speaker refers controversial legislation expanding lawmakers’ privileges to house committee for review

The speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has referred a contentious bill that expands the privileges of lawmakers to the house's standing committee for reconsideration. The legislation, initially passed in April, drew significant backlash for granting members of the provincial assembly blue passports, arms licenses, and blanket immunity from preventive detention. It also required the speaker's permission before arresting lawmakers on criminal charges.

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the committee would re-examine the controversial clauses

This controversial move faced sharp criticism from the media and the general public, leading the KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to order a review of the act last week. KP Information Minister Shafi Jan had previously announced the government's intention to withdraw the problematic clauses and reinstate provisions from the 1988 Act.

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Following consultations with the speaker of the provincial assembly, it was decided that the controversial clauses should be withdrawn for reconsideration

Addressing a press conference, the information minister stated that the standing committee would re-examine the disputed clauses, taking into account concerns raised by journalists, the public, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers. Following consultations, including a meeting with the assembly speaker and parliamentary leaders, it was decided to withdraw the controversial clauses for further deliberation.

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Members of the journalist community and the public will also be welcomed if they submit their recommendations

Jan clarified that most provisions of the new law mirrored the 1988 Act, with the exception of the blue passport clause. He noted that the draft approved by the provincial cabinet did not include provisions for extending blue passports to spouses or children, nor as a lifetime entitlement. The minister also suggested the issue was being "deliberately highlighted" to divert attention from another political matter.

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The issue has been deliberately highlighted to divert attention from the case involving Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar’s grandson