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PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Friday unanimously rejected any proposal to include Haripur, Abbottabad or any other district of the province in the federal capital, Islamabad.
The House passed a unanimous resolution moved by Chief Whip Akbar Ayub, reaffirming its commitment to protecting the province’s geographical unity, constitutional status and provincial autonomy.
The resolution stated that every district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Haripur and Abbottabad, is an inseparable part of the province and cannot be separated under any circumstances.
It said any change in the provincial boundaries for administrative, political, economic or resource-control purposes would be against the rights of the people, the federal system, provincial autonomy and constitutional principles.
The House declared that KP’s water resources, hydel power projects, minerals, forests and other natural resources are the constitutional rights of the province and its people. “Any direct or indirect attempt to seize or take control of these resources will not be acceptable,” the resolution said. It added that Pakistan’s strength lies in its federal structure, provincial autonomy, supremacy of the Constitution and equal respect for all federating units.
The assembly demanded that the federal government immediately abandon any proposal to include Haripur, Abbottabad or any other district of the province in Islamabad and fully respect KP’s constitutional and geographical status.
The House appealed to all political parties, elected representatives, constitutional institutions, lawyers, civil society, youth and the media to adopt a joint and unified stance for the protection of the province’s geographical unity, constitutional autonomy and public rights.
The assembly also demanded that the federal government issue a clear statement rejecting any such proposal or action and give assurances for the complete protection of the province’s territorial integrity, constitutional status and public rights in accordance with the Constitution of Pakistan.
Later, the assembly passed by majority vote the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Powers, Privileges and Immunities (Amendment) Bill, 2026, moved by government MPA Ikramullah Ghazi.
Under the approved amendments, the facility of lifetime blue passports for MPAs has been completely abolished.
The bill stated that blue passports would remain valid only during an MPA’s tenure and that the facility would automatically end when the member’s tenure expires. The bill also revised the quota for free arms licences for MPAs, fixing the number at four. MPAs will now have the legal right to obtain four free arms licences.
For the journalist community, the bill brought a significant change. A controversial clause proposing increased fines and punishments for journalists was withdrawn, and the penalties were reduced.
