KP CM orders review of controversial law granting extended privileges to lawmakers

PESHAWAR: Following the media backlash against the controversial bill giving increased powers and immunities to the members, Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi ordered a review of the provisions of the act.

It is stated that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had enacted the KP Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026 recently, which was adopted on April 30 and assented to by the governor on May 6.

This act gives increased powers and immunities to the members of the provincial assemblies, including lifetime official passports, immunity from preventive detention, and licences of up to eight prohibited bore weapons.

The bill has received heavy criticism from journalists of the whole country.

"The amendments done to the Act must be reviewed. Further actions will be for the benefit of the people," the CM stated in a press release issued from his office.

While addressing a cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Afridi stated that since there were some objections raised against the amendments done to the law, it would be best if the provisions regarding media personnel were reviewed.

He said that the founder of PTI Imran Khan always encouraged freedom of expression and wanted that journalists could criticize whenever they felt it was necessary. He, however, stated that he and his government have been criticized and some "black channels" are spreading lies about the government.

"In other provinces, those journalists who criticize the government go through kidnapping, violence and harassment. We have not done anything against the law," he said.

"The speaker has been instructed to meet the parliamentarians and review the problems of general public and media people," he added.

The chief minister also claimed that KP Assembly was the only assembly that came into existence by following the people’s mandate.