The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly has passed an amendment to its Privileges Act, introducing penalties for actions considered to violate the privileges and dignity of the provincial legislature, including the unauthorized publication of assembly proceedings and committee reports.
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Under the newly approved law, publishing or broadcasting the proceedings of the assembly or its standing committees, as well as questions, resolutions, motions or adjournment motions before they are officially presented in the house or formally released, has been declared an offence.
The legislation also prescribes penalties for publishing reports that allegedly distort assembly proceedings or the speeches of lawmakers. According to the amended law, anyone found guilty of publishing a misleading or distorted version of assembly proceedings or a member’s speech may face up to three months in prison, a fine of up to Rs300,000, or both.
The law further states that publishing restricted assembly proceedings or committee reports without authorization may result in up to six months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to Rs1 million, or both, depending on the nature of the offence.
In addition, the amendment provides penalties for publishing statements deemed defamatory toward the assembly or harmful to its dignity. Such offences may carry a prison sentence of up to six months, a fine of up to Rs500,000, or both.
The legislation also addresses interference with assembly officials. Under the amended law, assaulting an assembly officer or obstructing them from performing official duties may result in up to one month in prison, a fine of up to Rs100,000, or both.
The provincial government says the amendments are intended to protect the privileges of the assembly and ensure the orderly functioning of parliamentary business. The law establishes legal consequences for violations related to the publication of official proceedings and actions affecting the institution’s operations.
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The passage of the amendment marks a significant update to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly’s legislative framework governing parliamentary privileges and official proceedings.