State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry criticised the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly over recently approved lawmakers’ privileges on Wednesday. He accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf of promoting the VIP culture it had previously opposed.
The legislation expanded salaries, allowances and legislative privileges for provincial lawmakers. Although passed in April, the laws recently drew renewed attention after excerpts circulated on social media.
Minister Calls New Benefits ‘Political Bribery’
Speaking to PTV News, Chaudhry described the legislation as political bribery. He claimed the package granted lawmakers benefits unavailable to ordinary citizens.
According to Chaudhry, the measures include toll tax exemptions and free accommodation at government rest houses. He also referred to provisions involving official passports and firearms licences.
However, the minister maintained that passport issuance and prohibited-bore firearms licences remain federal responsibilities. Therefore, he said the federal government would not implement provincial measures in those areas.
Chaudhry added that the government had reduced official passport issuance and tightened firearms licence policies. He argued these reforms promoted accountability and reduced unnecessary privileges.
KP Government Coordinator Also Opposes Bill
Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Information for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Ikhtiar Wali Khan also criticised the legislation. He said the bill contradicted promises of equality and democratic accountability.
Khan claimed the law granted lifetime benefits and expanded protections for provincial lawmakers. He also criticised provisions related to arrests, court appearances and media access.
Furthermore, he argued restrictions on parliamentary coverage could undermine press freedom. Consequently, he called for the immediate withdrawal of the legislation.
The legislation has continued attracting public debate after its provisions resurfaced online. Critics and government representatives have questioned the scope of privileges granted to lawmakers.
