Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Suspends Security Officials After PTI Lawmakers’ Arrests

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has suspended five security officials for four months following the arrest of PTI lawmakers from the Parliament House. The suspensions come in response to the arrest of several PTI legislators, who were taken into custody from the Services Branch of the Parliament building.

The arrests took place early on Tuesday morning when officers in plain clothes stormed the Parliament House. The power supply was disconnected, and the officers entered the Services Branch to detain at least 11 PTI lawmakers. This incident led to widespread protests from PTI members, prompting the National Assembly Speaker to initiate an immediate investigation.

According to a formal order issued by the National Assembly Secretariat, Sergeant-at-Arms Muhammad Ishfaq Ashraf was suspended immediately for 120 days. The order specified that during his suspension, he would continue to receive his salary and allowances. In addition to Sergeant-at-Arms Ashraf, the suspension notice also included Security Assistant Waqas Ahmed and three junior security assistants, Obaidullah, Muhammad Waheed Safdar, and Muhammad Haroon.

Speaker Sadiq called for an official investigation into the incident, stating that an FIR would be lodged if necessary. He also requested footage from all entry gates of Parliament House to assist with evidence collection. The speaker met with various parliamentary leaders, including Ali Muhammad Khan and Shandana Gulzar from PTI, and Rana Sanaullah of PML-N, to discuss ways to prevent such incidents in the future.

In a separate move, Sadiq summoned Islamabad Inspector General of Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi to provide details about the arrests. He also instructed Rizvi to present the detained PTI lawmakers before the parliament. The arrests occurred a day after PTI’s Sangjani power show, with several senior PTI leaders being apprehended from different areas of Islamabad.

PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan clarified that he had surrendered to authorities when Sher Afzal Marwat was detained. He emphasized that PTI would not resign from any parliamentary assembly and criticized the arrest of MNAs without proper inquiry. A special 16-member committee, comprising members from both the ruling and opposition parties, was formed to investigate the incident.

During a parliamentary session, Speaker Sadiq commented on the positive discussions taking place, urging political leaders to unite for the betterment of the parliament. Despite calls for unity, PTI Chairman Gohar announced that all but nine to ten PTI MNAs would boycott parliamentary proceedings until a satisfactory inquiry into the arrests was conducted.

In a reconciliatory speech, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the politics of revenge and urged both sides to work together to address national issues. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif emphasized that no one should condone the events that took place, calling it a collective violation of the institution of parliament.