THE real strength of state institutions does not lie in an office, position, or individual. It lies in the supremacy of law. Whether a person is an elected representative, a police officer, or an ordinary citizen, everyone is equal before the law. The privilege motion against Faisalabad RPO Sohail Sakhira has placed this principle at the centre of an important institutional debate. According to available information, Member of the Punjab Assembly Ghazanfar Abbas Chhina moved a privilege motion in connection with a murder case in Jhang, reportedly concerning a request for video footage and communication with the RPO. RPO Sohail Sakhira presented his position before the committee, stating that he had no intention of insulting the MPA, that the requested video was not in his possession, and that an ongoing investigation could not be changed under pressure.

The real issue is not whether one individual should be supported or opposed. The fundamental question is whether parliamentary privilege was actually breached or whether an administrative and investigative disagreement was turned into a matter of privilege. Parliamentary privilege exists to protect elected representatives in performing their parliamentary responsibilities. However, every disagreement with a government officer does not automatically constitute a breach of privilege. A delay in obtaining a record, dissatisfaction with an administrative decision, or disagreement during a meeting........

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