Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati has sought details from police about provincial ministers and lawmakers who have allegedly been detained or arrested.
The development follows reports of detentions involving several PTI members and supporters, including relatives of the party founder and provincial ministers. The party has since postponed its planned protest until October 4.
Speaker Seeks Report From Police
Swati sent a second letter to KP Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed on September 25 and shared it on his X account on Sunday. He cited constitutional provisions and provincial assembly rules while seeking information about incidents involving lawmakers and provincial officials.
The KP Assembly Secretariat directed the police chief to provide details of any assembly member, minister, adviser, special assistant to the chief minister or parliamentary secretary who had faced arrest or detention.
The letter also sought information about residences subjected to an “attack, search or similar action” by law enforcement agencies. The secretariat requested a complete report and FIRs concerning such incidents during the previous two weeks.
Rules Require Prior Speaker Approval
Swati had already written to the police chief, stating that authorities should obtain his prior permission before arresting or detaining a sitting lawmaker.
According to the first letter, authorities must provide reasons for the proposed arrest or detention when seeking the speaker’s permission. The letter referred to provisions requiring the relevant magistrate or executive authority to follow this procedure.
The speaker also noted that he could ask the relevant police officer to submit a report when he considered it necessary in the public interest. The report would help establish the facts surrounding an arrest, detention or other action involving an assembly member.
The latest correspondence comes amid heightened political activity in KP and reports of arrests and detentions ahead of the postponed protest. The assembly secretariat has now asked police to provide records covering the reported incidents.
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