Peshawar, August 8, 2026 (Ghufran): The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has unanimously approved amendments to the Members’ Privileges and Facilities Act, 2026, abolishing the controversial provision that granted lawmakers lifetime official (blue) passports. The amendments were passed during a session chaired by Deputy Speaker Suraya Bibi. Under the revised legislation, official blue passports will now remain valid only for the duration of a member’s tenure in the provincial assembly. The Assembly also restored the entitlement of each lawmaker to four free arms licences under the amended law. In addition, the revised legislation reduced fines and penalties related to journalists and introduced changes to several other disputed provisions contained in the First Schedule of the Act.

In a separate development, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly unanimously passed a resolution rejecting any proposal to incorporate the districts of Haripur and Abbottabad into the federal capital territory. The resolution, moved by Provincial Minister Akbar Ayub, declared that Haripur and Abbottabad are integral parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and reaffirmed the province’s political, constitutional, and economic rights over its territory and natural resources. The Assembly emphasized that the territorial integrity of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa must be safeguarded and reiterated its commitment to protecting the constitutional rights of the province. Following the passage of the amendment bill and the resolution, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the Assembly session until August 10, 2026.