PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) cabinet has approved a new draft law concerning the salaries, privileges, and administrative powers of the provincial assembly Speaker and Deputy Speaker, with the legislation expected to be tabled in the provincial assembly next week.
According to officials, the proposed bill—framed under Articles 66, 88, 127, and 250 of the Constitution of Pakistan—aims to clearly define and streamline the financial and administrative structure of the two constitutional offices.
However, amid strong criticism on social media, provisions related to lifetime facilities for the Speaker have been removed from the draft before its final approval.
The bill outlines a detailed framework of allowances and privileges for both offices during official duties. It proposes a structured travel allowance system in which the first two days of official travel would be counted with full salary, the third to twentieth day at three-quarters pay, and subsequent days at half salary. Any stay exceeding seven nights at a distance of more than five miles would be treated as a new official visit.
For the Speaker, the proposed benefits include two official flag vehicles, an armoured vehicle, annual travel allowances, monthly medical allowance, payment of utility bills including electricity and gas, and approved foreign travel allowances.
The Deputy Speaker would be entitled to two official vehicles, utility bill coverage, and medical facilities for immediate family members, subject to approval by the Finance Committee.
Under the draft, both officeholders may be granted up to one month of leave annually for health or personal reasons, subject to approval by the Governor. The Speaker would also be given the option to join the General Provident Fund scheme.
The bill designates the Speaker as the controlling officer for financial matters related to both offices and provides a formal definition of “family,” including parents, spouse, and dependent children living in the same household.
A key clause also states that the Speaker will continue to hold office even in the event of the dissolution of the provincial assembly to ensure administrative continuity.
Officials said all financial matters and entitlements would be subject to final approval by the Finance Committee, with the proposed law set to take effect immediately upon enactment.
