Police Need Speaker’s Nod to Arrest MPA? Naqvi Questions KP Rule

PESHAWAR: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has raised questions over a directive requiring police to obtain prior permission from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker before arresting or detaining a provincial lawmaker.

In a post on X, Naqvi said that even if a provincial assembly member is accused of a criminal offence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, police would have to seek the Speaker’s permission before making an arrest. He questioned the requirement and raised concerns over how the rule would apply when an MPA is accused of a criminal offence.

Now in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, even if an MPA is accused of a criminal offence, the police must first seek the Speaker’s permission before arresting him. What next? If an MPA kills someone, will the police first wait for the Speaker’s permission to arrest him? What an extraordinary version of “equality before law.” Well done. Keep it up! And this is Riyasat-e-Madina?

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Secretariat has sent a letter to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), asking him to ensure implementation of the prescribed procedure regarding the arrest or detention of assembly members.
The IGP has been directed to ensure implementation of Section 11 of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026.

According to the letter, police must obtain prior permission from the Assembly Speaker before arresting an MPA in a criminal case or on charges of an offence. The Speaker’s permission would also be required before detaining a lawmaker under an executive order.

The letter stated that the Speaker must be informed of the reasons for the proposed arrest or detention and permission must be obtained through the prescribed procedure. The Speaker may also seek a report or challan from the relevant police officer in the public interest. An inquiry into the matter may also be ordered before the challan is submitted to the court, according to the letter.
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