Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government after the provincial assembly directed the police chief to seek the speaker’s prior approval before arresting or detaining an MPA.
The KP Assembly Secretariat, in a letter to Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed, cited Section 11 of the KP Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act 2026, which requires prior permission from the speaker for the arrest or detention of a provincial lawmaker on criminal charges.
Naqvi questioned the provision in a post on X, asking whether police would also have to seek the speaker’s permission if an MPA were accused of killing someone. He described the measure as an unusual interpretation of “equality before the law” and linked it to PTI founder Imran Khan’s concept of Riyasat-i-Madina.
KP Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati defended the provision, saying protections for elected lawmakers are part of parliamentary traditions and are intended to safeguard legislative independence. He said the rule does not place MPAs above the law, as accused lawmakers remain subject to investigation, prosecution and court proceedings.
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also questioned whether similar protections would be extended to PTI workers facing arrest or prosecution.
The dispute comes amid tensions over the proposed KP Police Act 2026, which the provincial cabinet recently approved. The federal interior ministry has criticised the legislation, arguing that it could undermine the police command structure and conflict with the constitutional framework.
The controversy also follows PTI claims that its leaders and workers have been detained ahead of a nationwide protest rescheduled for October 4.
