KP Assembly's sweeping bill grants MPAs lifetime priviledges
The new law on the powers, immunities and privileges of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has provided several new privileges, legal safeguards and special powers to the members of the provincial assembly.
New legislation of the provincial assembly
The powers and privileges of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly include provisions such as eight arms licences for provincial members, exemption from all toll taxes, lifetime official passports, powers of Justice of the Peace, special security, free stay in government rest houses and making arrest without the prior permission of the Speaker after a crime.
Special legal protection for members of the assembly
Under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Powers, Immunities and Privileges Act 2026, members of the assembly will be provided with special legal protection to ensure their participation in the meetings and committees of the assembly, while in certain circumstances, an arrested member can also be released to attend the meeting.
Matter of detention of a member of the assembly
According to the law, no member of the assembly can be detained in any way, while the permission of the Speaker will be required before the arrest or administrative detention of a member. Under the proposed law, the Speaker will also have the power to seek reports from the relevant authorities and conduct an investigation into the matter.
Provision of A, B grade security
According to the draft, each member of the assembly will be provided with at least B category security, while in case of threats, A category security can also be provided. It is also proposed to provide members of the assembly and their spouses with official passports, assembly identity cards and the facility of using VIP airport lounges across the country.
Authority for 8 arms licences
The draft law also provides for granting a total of eight non-prohibited bore arms licences to members of the assembly, with four free and four fee-based licences. In addition, it is proposed to grant members of the assembly exemption from toll tax at all toll plazas, free accommodation in circuit houses, rest houses and post bungalows and the authority to inspect government institutions, jails, hospitals, schools and development projects.
Justice of the Peace/Tinted Glasses Also Allowed
The draft also includes a provision to grant the powers of Justice of the Peace to the members of the assembly while allowing them to use special MLA number plates on their vehicles and have vehicles with tinted glasses.
Power to issue warrants
The draft law also gives the assembly and committees extensive powers. The assembly or committee will be able to summon any person, request documents and records, and in case of non-compliance, it will also have the power to issue warrants and produce the person before the assembly through the relevant authorities.
Actions against journalists
The draft also includes several important provisions related to the media. False or misleading reporting of assembly proceedings, publishing proceedings despite a ban on publication by the speaker, leaking committee reports before a hearing and certain other actions have been declared as breach of privilege. The speaker has also been given the power to restrict or cancel the entry of any journalist or media representative into the assembly.
Violation of Assembly Privileges Declared a Regular Crime
Under the said law, violation of Assembly privileges has been declared a regular crime, while it has been proposed to establish a judicial committee to hear such cases. The Speaker will have the right to appeal against the decisions of the committee and its decision will be considered final.