Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has directed the Speaker of the Provincial Assembly to convene a meeting of all parliamentary leaders to review the controversial amendments made to the Parliamentarians' Privileges Bill following criticism from the public and the media.

Addressing a provincial cabinet meeting, the chief minister said the draft bill had been approved by the cabinet and sent to the provincial assembly, where certain amendments were introduced. He noted that the amendments had been under continuous criticism in the media over the past two to three days.

Afridi said the government would review all provisions that have raised concerns among the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well as the journalist community. He expressed hope that the controversial amendments would be reconsidered after consultation with parliamentary leaders.

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The chief minister said PTI founder Imran Khan had always promoted freedom of expression and believed journalists should freely criticise where necessary. He added that both he and his government are regularly criticised by journalists.

Afridi alleged that some "black channels" continue to spread misleading propaganda against the provincial government. However, he maintained that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has not taken any illegal action against anyone, adding that even in cases of false propaganda, legal action is pursued through the courts.

He further claimed that journalists in other provinces have allegedly faced enforced disappearances, violence and harassment for their views, while asserting that such practices are not adopted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Reaffirming his government's commitment to public interest, Afridi said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly is the only assembly established through a genuine public mandate and that public opinion and welfare would remain central to all government decisions. He added that future actions would also be guided by the public interest and public opinion.