The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Assembly has come under renewed public scrutiny after excerpts from a package of laws enacted on April 30 resurfaced on social media, triggering criticism over enhanced benefits for lawmakers, including official passport entitlements and provisions relating to assembly privileges. The legislation, which received the governor's assent in early May, had largely escaped public attention until screenshots began circulating online this week.
Controversial Provisions
The controversy centres on two of the three laws passed by the K-P Assembly on April 30: the KP Province (Salaries and Allowances of Members) Act and the KP Assembly Powers, Privileges and Immunities (Amendment) Act, 2026. The legislative package also included a law relating to the speaker's salaries and allowances, which was revised following criticism during its passage through the assembly.
Among the provisions drawing criticism are enhanced allowances and benefits for lawmakers, including access to government rest houses, airport VIP lounges, exemption from toll tax, security arrangements, and entitlement to an official passport for members, with the same facility extended to their spouses for life, subject to applicable federal law.
Media Gag Clause
The KP Assembly Powers, Privileges and Immunities (Amendment) Act has also come under scrutiny over provisions relating to legislative privilege. One of its most debated clauses prescribes imprisonment of up to six months, a fine, or both, for publishing proceedings or evidence that the Assembly has directed to be kept confidential. This provision has fuelled concerns online over its potential implications for media reporting and transparency.
PML-N Parliamentary Leader in the National Assembly Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry criticised the legislation, accusing the provincial government of prioritising lawmakers' privileges over public welfare. In a post on X, he questioned provisions relating to toll tax exemptions, official passports, arms licences and free accommodation at government guest houses, saying these were not among the pressing issues facing the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Government Response
Responding to the controversy, K-P Chief Minister's spokesperson Shafi Jan rejected claims that the provincial assembly had approved blue passports for lawmakers and their spouses or passed a law allowing journalists to be jailed for six months. He described the reports as "false" and "baseless", maintained that passport issuance falls within the jurisdiction of the federal government, and said no such privilege had been added under the legislation.
However, the enacted Members' Salaries and Allowances Act states that members shall be entitled to an official passport, with the same facility extended to their spouses for life, subject to the provisions of applicable federal law. Similarly, the Powers, Privileges and Immunities (Amendment) Act contains a provision prescribing imprisonment of up to six months and a fine for publishing proceedings or evidence that the Assembly has directed to be kept confidential.
Defending the increase in lawmakers' remuneration, Shafi Jan said KP legislators remained the lowest-paid lawmakers in the country, receiving a monthly salary of Rs175,000. He argued that legislators in Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and the National Assembly received significantly higher salaries, maintaining that the legislation merely brought K-P lawmakers closer to their counterparts elsewhere.
Transparency Concerns
The controversy has also revived questions about transparency. Despite taking effect in May, the Acts could not be found on the KP Assembly's official website or in its online archive of legislation when this report was filed, even as excerpts of the laws circulated widely on social media.
Commenting on the issue, Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) Chairman Ahmad Bilal Mehboob said salary increases for legislators often generate a negative public reaction because politicians generally suffer from a poor public image and many people are unaware of the context behind such increases. "Being legislators is a full-time job and every legislator doesn't come from an affluent class. Legislators, therefore, need to be paid a market salary," he said.
However, Mehboob said some of the newly approved perks were difficult to justify. "For life diplomatic passports for legislators and their families is an uncalled-for demand. Similarly, multiple licences for prohibited bore arms is another unreasonable demand and amounts to seeking a status above the law. Legislators should focus on legislation and oversight of the executive rather than seeking unreasonable perks," he added.
