The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has enacted a new law significantly expanding the powers, privileges, and immunities of provincial lawmakers, including granting official passports to Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs) and their spouses.
The KP Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026 was passed by the assembly on April 30 and received assent from Faisal Karim Kundi on May 6. However, the legislation has yet to be uploaded to the assembly’s official website.
Under the new law, MPAs and their spouses will be entitled to official passports, subject to applicable federal regulations. Lawmakers will also be allowed to use VIP lounges at airports across Pakistan, while their spouses will receive assembly-issued identity cards recognized by law enforcement agencies.
One of the most significant changes is the granting of broad immunity from preventive detention to MPAs. The previous law provided limited protection only during specific periods before and after assembly sessions or committee meetings. The new legislation extends this immunity more comprehensively.
The law also requires authorities to obtain prior permission from the Speaker of the Assembly before arresting an MPA on a criminal charge or detaining them under an executive order.
In terms of security, lawmakers will now be entitled to Category B security throughout their tenure. If a credible threat is identified, they may be upgraded to Category A security. Security personnel assigned to MPAs can accompany them anywhere in Pakistan, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The legislation also increases the number of weapon licences available to MPAs from four to eight, including four free licences and four additional licences obtainable upon payment of the prescribed fee.
Other privileges introduced under the Act include eligibility for club memberships on the same terms as government officers and permission to use personally owned vehicles with tinted windows.
Additionally, the law increases penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for offences committed under the Act, aiming to strengthen enforcement of its provisions.
The new legislation has sparked debate over the scope of privileges granted to elected representatives and their families, particularly at a time when economic challenges remain a major concern for many citizens.
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