PESHAWAR (Web Desk) – The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has officially notified a new law expanding the salaries, privileges and legal protections of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the provincial assembly.
According to the notified legislation, both officeholders will be entitled to official vehicles, while the Speaker will be allowed to retain a bulletproof vehicle along with a total of three official vehicles. The Deputy Speaker will be entitled to two official vehicles.
The law also grants the Speaker and Deputy Speaker the authority to use government helicopters for official duties. In addition, the government will bear the travel expenses of their children during official overseas visits.
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Under the new legislation, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker will enjoy immunity from arrest. It also states that law enforcement agencies will not be permitted to enter, search or conduct raids at their residences.
The law further allows the Speaker to continue using the official residence until the election of a new Speaker by the next provincial assembly.
It also authorises the Assembly's Finance Committee to determine future increases in the salaries of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
In the event of death in an accident, the legal heirs of the Speaker or Deputy Speaker will be entitled to receive an approved compensation package under the provisions of the new law.