ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s proposed police legislation, particularly a provision requiring the police to seek the provincial assembly Speaker’s permission before arresting a legislator.
In a post on X, Naqvi referred to a letter from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Secretariat addressed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) following the provincial cabinet’s approval of amendments to the KP Police Act, 2026.
Naqvi said that under the new provision, even if a Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) is accused of a criminal offence, the police must first seek the Speaker’s permission before arresting him.
“What next? If an MPA kills someone, will the police first wait for the Speaker’s permission to arrest him?” Naqvi asked. “What an extraordinary version of ‘equality before law.’ Well done. Keep it up! And this is Riyasat-e-Madina?” he added.
In his letter to IGP Zulfiqar Hameed, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Deputy Secretary (Administration) Ibrahim Khan reminded him of Section 11 of the KP Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026, which requires the speaker’s prior permission before an MPA can be arrested or detained.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026