Police security taken back from K-P MPAs

Police security provided to members of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has been withdrawn in the run-up to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's planned long march on September 27, prompting a strong protest from the provincial assembly secretariat. According to sources, the withdrawal process began in recent days targeting government lawmakers. Police personnel previously deployed for the security of several members of the provincial assembly have been directed to report back to their respective district police lines. The move comes as authorities enforce restrictions on the use of official resources for the forthcoming protest. In light of an Islamabad High Court ruling, the provincial police have issued orders stating that no government resources will be utilised in the PTI protest. Security personnel and weapons are not to accompany participants in the demonstration. The directives align with earlier instructions from the K-P Chief Secretary, who had directed all government departments to ensure that public funds, vehicles, machinery or other state resources are not used to facilitate any march or rally heading towards Islamabad. The K-P Assembly Secretariat has taken formal notice of the security withdrawal. A letter has been issued to the Home Department and the Inspector General of Police, declaring the action a clear violation of the K-P Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026. Speaker of the Provincial Assembly Babar Saleem Swati has also intervened. He has written separately to the Additional Chief Secretary and the Inspector General of Police, expressing serious concern over the withdrawal of security from assembly members. In his communication, the Speaker emphasised that the provision of security to members of the assembly is not merely an administrative arrangement but a legal entitlement.