Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has strongly criticised a new rule introduced by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government requiring police to seek the Speaker’s prior permission before arresting or detaining a Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA).
In a post on X, the federal minister questioned the requirement, asking whether police would also have to seek the Speaker’s permission if an MPA were accused of a criminal offence.
“What next? If an MPA kills someone, will the police first wait for the Speaker’s permission to arrest him?” Naqvi asked.
He further questioned the provision, writing, “What an extraordinary version of ‘equality before law.’ Well done. Keep it up! And this is Riyasat-e-Madina?”
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.
— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) September 26, 2026
What next? If an MPA kills someone, will the police first wait for the Speaker’s permission to arrest him?
What an extraordinary… pic.twitter.com/HaxuBDT3c1
According to the new notification issued to the Inspector General of Police, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, when a Member of the Provincial Assembly is to be arrested on a criminal charge or for a criminal offence, or detained under an executive order, the magistrate or relevant executive authority must seek prior permission from the Speaker.
The notification states that the request must include the reasons for the arrest or detention.
It further states that where the Speaker considers it necessary in the public interest, he may require the relevant police officer to submit the police report or challan to ascertain the facts of the matter.
The notification was issued by the Deputy Secretary (Administration).