Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lawmakers dispute over arrest protocols

A political dispute has emerged in Pakistan regarding the proposed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Act 2026, specifically concerning the arrest of provincial assembly members. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Secretariat has directed the Inspector General of Police to ensure that prior permission from the Speaker is obtained before any member of the assembly is arrested or detained in a criminal case or under administrative orders.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has criticized this provision, questioning whether police should be required to wait for the Speaker's approval even in cases involving serious criminal offenses. He raised concerns over the impact this might have on law enforcement procedures.

In response, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati defended the measure, stating that parliamentary privileges are intended to protect the independence of the legislature and prevent the police from being used for political retaliation. Swati emphasized that while these protections exist, they do not place members above the law, as any accused member remains subject to investigation and judicial processes. He noted that the law aims to prevent unannounced raids and arrests intended to silence elected representatives.