KP Assembly amends Rules of Business after 37 years

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Wednesday approved amendments to its Rules of Business after 37 years, as Governor Faisal Karim Kundi extended an offer of cooperation to the provincial government for the province’s development, prosperity, and peace.

A formal endorsement ceremony of the rules of business was held in the assembly under the chairmanship of Speaker Babar Saleem Swati.

The event was attended by Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Opposition Leader Dr Ibadullah, Deputy Speaker Suraiya Bibi, former speakers Asad Qaiser, Mushtaq Ghani, Karamatullah Chugharmati, Bakht Jehan Khan, former governor Shah Farman, former deputy speakers, current and former lawmakers, and senior government officials.

Copies of the new rules were distributed. Lawmakers who contributed to the amendments formally signed the register.

In his speech, the speaker said that the endorsement of the assembly rules was a milestone in parliamentary history.

“I have always strived to do justice to the Speaker’s Office and to implement the directives of my leader Imran Khan. Never have I knowingly shown negligence, dishonesty, or hypocrisy in this role,” he stated.

He recalled that the rules were originally framed under a governor’s notification in 1974, based on the 1973 Constitution. “Now, 51 years later, these reforms have been made through a new Act, after nine months of rigorous work involving 43 lawmakers, assembly staff, the Law and Finance Departments, the AG’s office, and other institutions. The National Assembly speaker and his team also extended full cooperation,” he explained.

Swati added that, for the first time, citizens and students would be allowed to witness assembly proceedings, while the public could submit objections or suggestions on laws, which would then be forwarded to standing committees.

“Alongside Urdu, English, and Pashto, Hindko and Saraiki have also been included as assembly languages, making it possible to conduct proceedings in five languages,” he said.

Deputy Speaker Suraiya Bibi described the reforms as a milestone achieved after tireless efforts.

Opposition Leader Dr Ibadullah termed it a historic day for the assembly.

Governor Faisal Karim Kundi visited the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on the invitation of the speaker and participated in the ceremony marking the endorsement of the KP Assembly Rules of Procedure 2025.

Addressing the assembly, the governor congratulated the speaker and the chief minister on the endorsement of the new rules. He extended an offer of cooperation to the provincial government led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf for the province’s development, prosperity, and peace.

He said the issuance of the Rules of Procedure 2025 was a milestone in parliamentary history. “This is not merely a renewal, but a reaffirmation of democratic values and institutional performance,” he noted.

Highlighting the constitutional bond between the Governor’s office and the provincial assembly, he said: “Assembly sessions are convened and prorogued by the governor, and the laws passed here only come into force after the governor’s assent. This reflects the harmony, mutual respect, and shared responsibility between the Governor’s office and the legislature for strengthening democracy.”

The chief minister, in his speech, said it was a historic occasion when amendments were made to the assembly Rules of Business after 37 years.

He said most of the country’s problems would already have been resolved had effective rules like these been in place across institutions.