Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on July 8 directed a review of the recently enacted KP Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026 following strong criticism from the media and the public. He instructed that the law’s controversial provisions be reassessed in consultation with parliamentary leaders.
The Act, approved on April 30 and signed into law by the governor on May 6, significantly increases the powers and immunities of provincial assembly members. Notable provisions include issuing lifetime official passports to members and their spouses, extensive immunity from preventive detention, and entitlements to up to eight non-prohibited-bore weapon licences.
During a cabinet meeting, CM Afridi highlighted the recent heavy criticism the amendments have attracted and suggested that provisions affecting media personnel need particular reconsideration. The Chief Minister referred to the principles of Imran Khan, emphasising freedom of expression and the importance of critical journalism.However, he said that his government and himself also faced criticism from “black channels” that ran misleading propaganda against the government.
He contrasted the situation in KP with other provinces, where he claimed journalists face harsher repercussions for government criticism, adding that the KP government had not taken any illegal action against anyone, intead that legal action was only taken if someone spread fake propaganda.
In response to the controversy, Afridi engaged with KP Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati to organise discussions with parliamentary leaders to address the public and the media’s concerns.
At a joint press conference, government and opposition lawmakers argued that many of the disputed provisions were carried over from the 1988 law. Information Minister Shafi Jan also rejected claims regarding blue passports and additional weapon licences, stating those amendments were introduced by the opposition rather than the cabinet.
PPP lawmaker Ahmad Karim Kundi and ANP’s Arbab Usman defended the act, stating that the provisions were justified given the province’s unique challenges and sacrifices. They insisted that elected officials need adequate facilities to serve effectively.
The provincial government promised further consultations with journalist bodies.
