Peshawar: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has initiated a review of 74 laws passed during the PTI administration, following the imposition of governor's rule and emergency measures in the province. The provincial law department has constituted a committee tasked with examining the legislation and submitting recommendations to the competent authority within seven days, according to reports citing official sources on Tuesday.
The exercise covers legislation concerning 20 government departments, including the prosecution service, universities, medical teaching institutions and the powers and privileges of the provincial assembly. The review could lead to proposals for amendments or the repeal of certain laws, although no final decisions have been announced.
Prosecution law among legislation under examination
Among the laws being reviewed is the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Prosecution Service Amendment Act, 2025, which authorities are reportedly considering amending or withdrawing. The legislation has attracted attention because of its potential implications for the prosecution of cases linked to the events of May 9, 2023, when protests followed the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.
Those cases involve PTI leaders, workers and supporters accused of offences connected to the protests. Any changes to the prosecution framework could affect the procedures governing such cases, depending on the amendments proposed and their legal application.
However, the authorities have not disclosed specific changes under consideration or explained how they would apply to pending proceedings.
The decision comes after the imposition of governor's rule in KP, which altered the province's administrative arrangements following the removal of the PTI led provincial government. PTI had governed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for more than a decade, during which successive administrations introduced legislation affecting provincial institutions and public services.
The review raises questions about which existing policies will be retained and whether proposed changes could affect the functioning of institutions established or regulated under previous legislation. Under Pakistan's constitutional framework, changes to provincial laws must follow the applicable legislative procedures. A departmental review alone does not repeal or amend legislation.
The committee's recommendations will therefore represent a preliminary stage in any process to revise the laws. Authorities have yet to identify which of the 74 laws may be retained, amended or recommended for repeal.
The committee is expected to submit its findings within the prescribed seven day period, after which the competent authority will determine the next course of action.
