Following the President, the Prime Minister may also be granted immunity from criminal proceedings under a proposed constitutional amendment presented in the Senate.The amendment was jointly moved by government members, Senators Anusha Rahman and Zahid Khalil Sindhu, during a meeting of the joint standing committee.
At present, the Prime Minister does not enjoy absolute immunity from criminal proceedings. Constitutional protection under Article 248 is explicitly granted to the President and Governors, but not to the head of government.
According to the proposed amendment, Article 248 of the Constitution would be revised to include the words “Prime Minister” alongside “President.”
If approved, the amendment would bar the initiation or continuation of any criminal proceedings against the Prime Minister while in office, thereby extending the same legal protection currently reserved for the President.
