Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has called for a unified law to regulate the salaries, privileges, and benefits of lawmakers across Pakistan.
He urged the National Assembly speaker and Senate chairman to arrange a meeting of speakers from all four provincial assemblies. The purpose of the meeting would be to develop a single framework for legislators’ rights and entitlements.
The demand comes after the KP Assembly passed the Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026. The law introduced several additional privileges for provincial lawmakers, including lifetime official passports for members and their spouses.
The legislation faced criticism from different circles after its approval. Following the public reaction, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi ordered a review of some provisions of the law.
In his statement, Kundi said lawmakers’ privileges should be based on a common national policy instead of separate rules for each province.
He said facilities such as salaries, security, official passports, allowances, and other benefits should follow one standard across the country to ensure equality and public confidence.
The governor stressed that no province should create special privileges at a time when people are facing economic challenges and being asked to adopt austerity measures.
Kundi also clarified that he had already expressed concerns about the legislation. He said public money belongs to citizens and must be used carefully.
He stated that governments facing financial pressure should avoid introducing additional benefits for officials and elected representatives. He called for responsible financial management and transparency in the use of public resources.
The governor recommended that the provincial assembly’s finance committee review the law according to austerity principles. He suggested reducing unnecessary spending and ensuring that privileges remain within reasonable limits.
The new KP legislation replaced the previous 1988 law and expanded certain protections and facilities for assembly members. The debate over the law has raised wider questions about lawmakers’ benefits, public spending, and the need for a balanced approach across Pakistan.
