In second letter to KP police chief, assembly speaker Swati seeks details of 'detained' lawmakers, ministers
PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati has sought details from police of provincial cabinet members and lawmakers who have been “detained or arrested”, it emerged on Sunday. The developments comes after reports of the detention of several PTI members and supporters, including party founder’s sisters and provincial ministers, ahead of a protest that has now been postponed…
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati has requested information from police regarding lawmakers and cabinet members who have been detained or arrested, as reported on Sunday. This comes after several PTI members and supporters, including the sisters of the party founder and provincial ministers, were detained ahead of a protest that has been postponed to October 4.
Swati previously instructed the provincial inspector general of police, Zulfiqar Hameed, to seek his approval before arresting any sitting lawmaker. In his second letter to police chief, Swati cited constitutional articles, KP Assembly Procedure and Conduct of Business Rules, and the Provincial Assembly Act, 2026. He directed the secretariat to obtain records of any arrested or detained members or those whose residences were attacked by law enforcement agencies during the past two weeks.
The letter also requested full police reports and complaints filed by individuals. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi criticized Swati's request, questioning the speaker's consent requirement and suggesting that it undermines the principle of equality before the law. Swati responded, stating that the privilege was intended to protect lawmakers from police interference and ensure the assembly can function without fear.
He emphasized that the speaker's role is to prevent arrests for political reasons and that an accused lawmaker still faces investigation, prosecution, and judicial process. Swati expressed concern over the recent attacks on democracy, including the abduction of MNAs, MPAs, and PTI leadership during peaceful protests. He questioned why no similar concerns were raised when people were abducted, laws were passed in secrecy, or immunity was granted.
The controversy stems from a heated debate over the new KP Police Act, which links police decisions to provincial government approval, raising concerns about its constitutionality and potential impact on law enforcement in the region.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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