Assembly approves security committee

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has approved the formation of a Provincial Security Committee to oversee all matters related to law and order in the province.

The committee will comprise 30 members, including both government and opposition lawmakers, and will be chaired by Speaker K-P Assembly Babar Saleem Swati. Members will include the Chief Minister, the Opposition Leader, provincial ministers, and MPAs. Security officials will regularly brief the committee on law and order issues.

Earlier, during the assembly session, Chief Whip Akbar Ayub Khan informed members that he had discussed the province's security situation with the Chief Minister, who proposed the creation of a comprehensive security body. The committee will also include representatives from conflict-affected districts as well as advisers.

PPP legislator Ahmed Karim Kundi suggested that the chairmanship be given to the Speaker to ensure neutrality, while Akbar Ayub emphasized the inclusion of lawmakers from terrorism-hit districts. Kundi supported this proposal and added that assigning the chairmanship to either the Speaker or the Opposition Leader would strengthen the committee's effectiveness. He noted that the opposition had already drafted Terms of Reference (ToRs) and proposals, stressing, "People are demanding protection of their lives; we must take this committee seriously."

ANP MPA Nisar Baz reminded the house that the opposition had long called for such a committee, highlighting that over 24,000 families in Bajaur had been displaced due to violence. He urged that Corps Commander and the IGP be invited to brief the assembly directly.