Key Takeaways
- Prime Minister’s Coordinator Ikhtiar Wali Khan demands reversal of KP laws expanding MPAs' powers and immunities.
- New legislation grants MPs immunity from preventive detention, additional weapons licences, and lifetime official passports.
- Khan criticizes the new laws as undermining press freedom and deweaponization efforts.
Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Affairs Ikhtiar Wali Khan has called for the repeal of recently enacted laws that expand the privileges and immunities of Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs) in KP. The coordinator made his demands during a press conference held on Wednesday in Islamabad.
The KP Assembly passed three acts on April 30, which include provisions granting MPs blanket immunity from preventive detention under Section 10 of the legislation. Under Section 11, authorities will need to seek prior permission from the speaker before arresting an MP for a criminal offence.
Khan expressed concern over these changes, stating, 'No law of this country applies to them. They can fire at anyone or hit anyone, but they are not answerable to anyone.' He further criticized the granting of additional weapons licences and lifetime official passports for assembly members and their spouses, questioning the practicality of such provisions.
The new laws also permit MPs to own up to eight non-prohibited bore weapons, including four free licences and four issued on payment of a notified fee. Under the repealed law, they were entitled to only four free lifetime licences for weapons. Khan questioned these changes: 'If someone has the licence to own eight Kalashnikovs, what will he do?'
Khan emphasized his call for deweaponization across Pakistan and highlighted that the responsibility for security should rest with the government, armed forces, and police. He also criticized the jab at press freedom in the new laws, which allow the speaker and KP government to bar specific journalists and publications from covering assembly sessions.
In a statement issued by the office of KP Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, it was denied that any new or extraordinary privileges have been introduced for lawmakers. The statement explained that nearly 99 percent of the powers and facilities being discussed already existed in the 1988 law, with recent amendments further clarifying those.
The coordinator’s demands come as part of a broader debate on the balance between legislative autonomy and accountability in KP. Critics argue that such laws could undermine democratic principles and public trust in governance, while supporters maintain that they provide necessary protections for lawmakers.
No law of this country applies to them. They can fire at anyone or hit anyone, but they are not answerable to anyone.
Ikhtiar Wali Khan, Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Affairs
If someone has the licence to own eight Kalashnikovs, what will he do?
Ikhtiar Wali Khan, Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Affairs
