National ( The cow news digital ) The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has responded to the ongoing debate over proposed privileges and facilities for provincial assembly members, rejecting what it described as misleading reports circulating in the media.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Adviser Shafi Jan said that several points being discussed publicly are not part of the approved draft. He stated that issues related to blue passports, arms licences, and other benefits have been presented in a misleading manner without considering the actual details of the proposal.
According to Shafi Jan, the provision for blue passports for lawmakers already exists under the 1988 Act. He clarified that the draft approved by the provincial cabinet does not include any proposal for lifetime blue passports for assembly members, nor does it contain any provision regarding such facilities for their spouses.
The information adviser said Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has directed the provincial assembly speaker to consult all parliamentary leaders and take them into confidence on the matter. He added that members of the National Assembly and Senate also have access to blue passport facilities along with certain family members.
Shafi Jan further stated that around 57,000 blue passports are currently in use across the country and suggested that the broader system should also be reviewed instead of focusing only on provincial lawmakers.
He argued that salaries of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly members have not been increased since 2013, while exemptions from toll taxes have been available to parliamentarians and judges for nearly two decades.
The adviser said provincial lawmakers were being unfairly targeted despite facing serious security challenges. He claimed that several members had requested security assistance because police authorities were unable to provide adequate protection.
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Shafi Jan maintained that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lawmakers receive fewer privileges compared with representatives in other parts of the country. He accused critics of engaging in political point-scoring rather than discussing the issue on the basis of facts.
The debate over lawmakers’ benefits continues as political parties and public representatives examine the proposed changes and their possible impact.
