KP Assembly Ends Lifetime Blue Passport Facility for Lawmakers, Passes Amendment Bill
Peshawar: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has passed an amendment bill introducing significant changes to the privileges and benefits of provincial lawmakers, including the abolition of the lifetime blue passport facility.
The amendment bill, presented by government lawmaker Ikramullah Ghazi, was approved by the assembly.
Under the new law, blue passports issued to members of the provincial assembly will remain valid only for the duration of their tenure. Once a member’s term ends, the passport privilege will no longer apply.
The legislation also restores the entitlement of lawmakers to four free arms licenses, reversing previous changes to the provision.
In addition, the amendment bill reduces penalties and fines relating to journalists. The provision that proposed harsher punishments for journalists has been withdrawn, while the assembly also approved amendments to several disputed clauses in the First Schedule.
The newly approved amendments introduce key changes to the legal framework governing lawmakers’ privileges and provide relief to journalists by removing the proposed increase in penalties.
