Senior journalist Mansoor Ali Khan has highlighted the hypocrisy of major political parties regarding the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026. In his last show, he exposed a profound contradiction between the parties’ provincial legislative actions in KP assembly and their official federal rhetoric.
Assented to on May 6, 2026, the legislation replaces the 1988 framework, granting members immunity from preventive detention, requiring Speaker approval for criminal arrests, and providing perks such as lifetime passports, VIP airport access, and weapon licences.
Reflecting on the political contradictions, Mansoor Ali Khan remarked, “It was announced about two days ago. If the law was so wrong, then why was the amendment introduced in the first place? And if it was correct, then why is distance being maintained from it today?”
Reporting on the internal discord, Khan noted that PML-N information secretary Talal Chaudhry has condemned the benefits as “political bribe” that harms the state’s image. Yet, in the assembly, PML-N MPA Jalal Khan defended the bill as a necessary revision, claiming that provisions like arms licences and exemptions were already established in the 1988 law and that blue passports are standard for MPAs in Punjab and Sindh.
This contrast became more pronounced when Prime Minister’s coordinator for KP criticised the bill during a press conference while sitting directly beside Jalal Khan.
The situation within the PPP is similarly fractured. Addressing the party’s split, Khan stated, “The PML-N is not alone; the Pakistan People’s Party’s situation is also no different. The amendments to the passport laws are being presented by the People’s Party’s Ahmed Kundi, while his brother, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, is strictly criticising the same matter.”
