Police and other authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will have to seek the provincial assembly speaker’s prior permission before arresting or detaining an MPA in a criminal case. The procedure has been highlighted after the KP Assembly Secretariat directed the Inspector General of Police to follow Section 11 of the KP Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026.
Under the provision, the authority seeking an arrest must give reasons for the proposed action. The speaker can also ask for a police report or challan and may order an inquiry before the challan is submitted to court.
The development has drawn criticism from Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. In a statement on September 26, he questioned whether police would also need the speaker’s approval if an MPA were accused of killing someone.
The provision was part of legislation passed earlier this year. The KP Assembly later amended the law in August, with the amended act enforced on August 19.
The federal government has also raised concerns about wider changes to KP’s police law, while the provincial government has continued with the revised legislation.
