KP Assembly opposes Action in Aid of Civil Power Regulations

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Monday passed a resolution against the Action in Aid of Civil Power Regulations, declaring them in violation of human rights and justice.

The resolution was moved by ruling party MPA Daud Shah at the end of the general debate on the law and order situation in the province. It called on the provincial government to withdraw the cases filed under the same regulations in the Supreme Court and to declare the regulations against human rights in the province, including the merged districts.

The Action in Aid of Civil Power Regulations were specially promulgated in 2011 by the Government of Pakistan to provide a legal framework for the role of the armed forces in conflict-hit areas, particularly in KP and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas , now called merged districts.

Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Legal Aid (Amendment) Bill was presented by Provincial Minister for Law Aftab Alam in the assembly to provide free legal assistance in criminal and civil cases to deserving people. Speaker Babar Saleem Swati chaired the session, which started later than scheduled, as usual.

The law minister termed the bill a milestone in the provision of justice, saying it would help those who could not afford the heavy expenses of lawyers. Under the bill, the director general prosecution was designated as the director general of the Legal Aid Agency, while a prosecution wing will also be established, with employees working under the prosecution department.

The assembly also passed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Charity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, paving the way for the registration of charity organizations to make them more active and organized in carrying out welfare and charitable activities.

In another development, a resolution regarding the issuance of driving licenses was referred to the House Standing Committee. The mover, ruling party MPA and parliamentary secretary Ubaidur Rehman, demanded empowering the Police Department to issue driving licenses, citing its capacity, system, and equipment. He argued that applicants often had to wait months for licenses from the Transport Department, while the Police Department could issue them within weeks after fulfilling requirements.

Provincial Minister for Transport Rangiz Khan said about 10,000 driving licenses for motor cars, jeeps, and other light vehicles would be issued within the next two days, while delays in other categories were due to the security features of the new license cards.

The assembly also formed a 30-member Provincial Security Committee to help maintain and ensure lasting peace in the province.