Peshawar — Margalla News: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati has issued a detailed response to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi's criticism of a law requiring the Speaker's prior approval before the arrest of a provincial lawmaker.
Swati argued that parliamentary privilege, including prior approval before the arrest of an MPA in a criminal case, is not a new invention in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said such safeguards are intended to protect legislative independence and prevent the executive from using police or other state institutions to pressure elected representatives.
Section 11 of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026 requires the Speaker's prior permission before an assembly member is arrested in a criminal case or detained under an order. On September 26, the Speaker wrote to the provincial police chief asking for compliance with that provision.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi criticised the arrangement on social media, questioning whether police should have to wait for the Speaker's approval if an MPA is accused of a serious crime.
In response, Swati said the privilege does not place lawmakers above the law and that accused members remain subject to investigation, prosecution and the courts. He said the Speaker's role is to ensure that arrest powers are not used for political retaliation or to disrupt the functioning of the assembly.
Swati also made a series of political allegations against the federal government and law-enforcement authorities, including claims of raids, arrests and harassment involving PTI leaders and elected representatives. These assertions are being reported as Swati's political claims; federal authorities have disputed or differently characterised similar allegations in the past.
The Speaker also referred to the blocking of his passport. An Islamabad anti-terrorism court in September ordered the passports of several PTI leaders and parliamentarians, including Swati, to be blocked in connection with a protest-related case.
Swati further pointed to international recognition received by the provincial assembly. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association awarded him the 2026 Parliamentary Equality and Diversity Award, citing initiatives involving parliamentary caucuses for women, minorities, children and young people, among other inclusion-focused work.
He said his letters to the police chief and the additional chief secretary for home affairs were intended to ensure compliance with provincial law before any arrest of an assembly member. He concluded that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly would continue to defend constitutional duties, the rule of law and the institutional rights of elected representatives.