ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has suspended five security officials for four months following a dramatic incident where PTI lawmakers were arrested from inside the Parliament House.
On Tuesday morning, plainclothesmen stormed the Parliament House around 3 a.m., cutting off the power supply and forcibly removing at least 11 PTI legislators from the building’s Services Branch.
In response to the uproar from PTI members, Sadiq ordered an immediate investigation into the arrests. An official order from the NA secretariat announced the suspension of Sergeant-at-Arms Muhammad Ishfaq Ashraf for 120 days, with full pay and allowances during this period. The order cited rule 5(1) of the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020, which allows for such suspension under certain conditions.
Additionally, Security Assistant Waqas Ahmed and three junior security assistants—Obaidullah, Muhammad Waheed Safdar, and Muhammad Haroon—were also suspended for 120 days with pay and allowances.
Sadiq has sought footage from all entry points of the Parliament House to aid in the investigation and has met with parliamentary leaders to discuss the matter. He emphasized that there would be no compromise on the dignity of Parliament and proposed creating new rules to prevent such incidents in the future.
On the night following the PTI’s Sangjani power show, law enforcement agencies arrested key PTI leaders including Sher Afzal Marwat, Zubair Khan, and Shoaib Shaheen, as well as 11 other MNAs. PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan clarified that he had surrendered himself for arrest in solidarity with Marwat.
A 16-member special committee has been formed, consisting of both treasury and opposition members, to address the arrests. Sadiq urged for constructive dialogue and a charter of parliament to improve the situation.
PTI leader Gohar announced a boycott of NA proceedings by most PTI MNAs until a satisfactory investigation is conducted, emphasizing that the party will not resign from Parliament. He also called on the deputy speaker to ensure a thorough inquiry.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari called for an end to political revenge and emphasized the need for both sides to work together for the country’s progress. He criticized the use of personal attacks in politics and urged for a focus on public issues.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif acknowledged the collective loss caused by the police incursion and stressed the need for accountability on all sides. He also highlighted the importance of parliamentary awareness regarding national issues such as militant attacks.
The early morning raid involved a well-equipped police contingent and resulted in the arrest and subsequent detention of several PTI lawmakers, who were later moved to the Central Investigation Agency Centre.
