K-P Assembly passes 3 bills as CM Afridi calls for end to drone strikes

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed three bills as Chief Minister Sohail Afridi made an appeal for cross-party cooperation to end drone strikes in terrorism-hit areas.

The session, chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, saw the passage of the K-P Assembly Powers, Privileges and Immunities (Amendment) Bill 2026, alongside two related bills governing speaker and member salaries and allowances.

Law Minister Aftab Alam presented all three, incorporating an amendment by Pakistan Peoples Party leader Ahmed Kundi.

Speaker Swati declared the moment a turning point in provincial history.

“Constitutional requirements delayed since 1973 have been fulfilled,” he said. “This assembly has accomplished in two years what could not be achieved in the last 50 years.”

He thanked National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and his own team for modernising rules that had remained untouched since 1974.

Read: K-P jirga rejects drone strikes, announces emergency assembly session

However, the session’s most charged moment came when CM Afridi took the floor against drone strikes. “For three days, drones circled over my house,” he revealed. “Whenever I announce a visit to Punjab or plan a rally, attacks begin.”

He acknowledged legal constraints, noting that he could not file a case against drone strikes due to constitutional protections. However, he announced plans to introduce legislation allowing legal action for damages caused by drones.

“When civilians are harmed by drones, I receive messages saying ‘I am sorry’ and ‘this is unfortunate’ — mere words are not enough,” he said.

Reciting poetry in the assembly, CM Afridi declared that he did not fear difficulties and challenges. “The real test is navigating the ship to shore under adverse conditions,” he said, vowing to steer the province through crises despite all obstacles.

Afridi argued that drone strikes did not reduce terrorism but instead fuelled it. “Innocent citizens, especially children, are targeted, breeding grief, anger, and a desire for revenge among the people,” he warned.

Announcing a grand tribal Loya Jirga for Saturday, the chief minister sought opposition support for a joint action plan. “I will continue raising my voice for the rights of this province’s people, even if it costs me my seat or my life,” he vowed.

Speaker Swati concluded by emphasising that legislation remained the assembly’s exclusive constitutional authority.

“Courts can only interpret. No restrictions can be imposed on this power,” he said, cementing what many were calling a defining session for K-P’s parliamentary future.