PESHAWAR: KP Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati has referred the controversial powers and privileges law to the Standing Committee on Privileges after widespread public criticism.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly passed the KP Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026, in April. The law granted lawmakers blue passports, arms licences and immunity from preventive detention. It also required the speaker’s approval before police could arrest an assembly member in a criminal case.

Chief Minister Sohail Afridi ordered a review of the legislation last week. The move came after strong criticism from the media, civil society and the public.

Information Minister Shafi Jan said the government would withdraw the disputed clauses. It would revise them to match the provisions of the 1988 Act.

Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar, Jan said the Standing Committee on Privileges would review the controversial sections again.

He said journalists, members of the public and PTI workers had raised concerns about several provisions. The chief minister then called a provincial cabinet meeting to discuss the issue.

Jan said the government consulted Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati before making the decision.

The speaker later chaired a meeting attended by parliamentary leaders from all political parties and the opposition leader. After hearing their views, he referred the disputed clauses to the Standing Committee on Privileges.

Jan said the committee had originally drafted the bill. It will complete its review within one week. The committee will also align the controversial clauses with the 1988 law.

He invited journalists and citizens to submit recommendations during the review process.

The minister said most parts of the 2026 law matched the 1988 legislation. However, he acknowledged concerns over the blue passport provision.

He clarified that the cabinet-approved draft did not grant lifetime blue passports. It also did not extend the facility to lawmakers’ spouses or children.

Jan said the governor signed the bill on May 6. Authorities published it in the official Gazette on May 7. He added that no one raised objections at that time.

The minister claimed some people had highlighted the issue to divert attention from the case involving Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar’s grandson.

He said both the PTI and the provincial government wanted a faster investigation. He added that they would continue to press for progress in the case.

Jan also said Sindh and Punjab had introduced similar amendments without triggering the same level of public debate.

He added that authorities had issued only 992 blue passports in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Across Pakistan, they had issued about 56,000. He called on the government to release complete official figures.