ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has criticised a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly provision requiring authorities to obtain the speaker’s prior permission before arresting or detaining a provincial lawmaker accused of a criminal offence.
Naqvi reacted on Saturday after the KP Assembly Secretariat wrote to Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed, directing him to ensure compliance with Section 11 of the KP Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026.
KP Assembly Directs Police to Follow Section 11
The letter, issued by the KP Assembly Secretariat’s Deputy Secretary (Administration) Ibrahim Khan, reminded the provincial police chief that Section 11 requires prior permission from the assembly speaker before an MPA can be arrested on a criminal charge or detained under an executive order.
Under the provision, the authority seeking an arrest must provide the speaker with reasons for the proposed action. The speaker may also seek relevant police reports or challans and, where considered necessary in the public interest, call for an inquiry before the submission of a challan to a court.
The assembly secretariat directed the inspector general to follow the prescribed procedure whenever the arrest or detention of a provincial lawmaker becomes necessary.
Reacting to the development, Naqvi questioned the implications of requiring the speaker’s approval before an MPA could be arrested.
The interior minister asked what would happen if a provincial lawmaker were accused of killing someone, questioning whether police would first have to wait for the speaker’s permission before making an arrest.
Naqvi described the arrangement as an unusual interpretation of equality before the law and also referred to the concept of Riyasat-i-Madina associated with PTI founder Imran Khan.
The controversy comes amid a broader dispute over the KP Police Act 2026, which was approved by the provincial cabinet earlier this week but still requires legislative consideration.
The proposed legislation has also generated debate over the authority of the provincial police chief, with provisions linking certain decisions of the inspector general to the chief minister or provincial government.
The federal government has raised concerns about the legislation, arguing that it could affect the existing police command structure and constitutional arrangements.
Governor Also Criticises Protection for MPAs
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also joined the criticism, questioning whether ordinary PTI workers would receive similar protections if they faced arrest or prosecution.
Kundi said PTI workers should ask their leaders whether the assembly speaker would also be responsible for them if they were placed in situations involving alleged unlawful or criminal activities.
ALSO READ: If PTI was going to run away, why did it call for protest? Information Minister
The latest dispute adds to tensions between the federal government and the KP administration over policing, political arrests and the scope of legislative privileges.
The controversy is unfolding as political tensions remain elevated in the province, with PTI having announced a nationwide protest for October 4 after previously changing its schedule.
