The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly has passed the KP Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026, along with related laws on speaker, deputy speaker, salaries and allowances, drawing sharp criticism for prioritizing self-interest over pressing provincial issues like terrorism, police killings, and education scandals.
New Powers for MPAs
Under the new law, Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs) can summon government officers to meetings in their constituencies or districts at a public place of their choosing. Officers are bound to attend, and failure to do so may be treated as a breach of privilege. This effectively allows individual MPAs to drag public servants across districts for personal convenience, bypassing institutional processes.
Blanket Immunity from Arrest
The act expands limited protection against preventive detention into blanket immunity. A clause originally meant to protect legislative functioning before and after assembly sessions has been extended to cover all arrests, including criminal charges, which now require prior permission from the speaker. Critics call this political insulation rather than parliamentary protection.
Lavish Perks for Legislators
The legislation grants MPAs and their spouses lifetime official passports, access to VIP airport lounges, club memberships, tinted vehicles, additional weapons licences, and enhanced security entitlements across Pakistan. This has been condemned as transforming public servants into provincial aristocrats.
Context of Crisis
The move comes as KP faces daily terrorist attacks, targeted killings of police officers, pressure on public institutions, and repeated scandals in the education sector. The ruling party is accused of offering self-protection and comfort instead of courage, seriousness, and service.
