National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has suspended key security personnel in the House, including the sergeant-at-arms, for negligence in their duties following arrests of PTI lawmakers inside the Parliament House.
Sergeant-at-Arms Ashfaq Ashraf has been suspended for four months over negligence in the security of the Parliament House.
In addition to the sergeant-at-arms, four other security staff members have been suspended for their failure to uphold the security protocols of parliament. Those suspended include a security assistant and three junior assistants: Waqas Ahmed, Obaidullah, Waheed Safdar, and Muhammad Haroon.
These suspensions come after Speaker Ayaz Sadiq had on Tuesday formed a high-level investigation committee over the arrests of PTI MNAs from the Parliament House. The committee was to be led by the now-suspended Sergeant-at-Arms Ashfaq Ashraf.
Also Read: Over a dozen senior PTI leaders arrested in overnight raids over SOPs violation
According to sources, the committee was tasked with conducting a thorough review of the incidents that led to the arrests. Sources indicate that the committee was ordered to compile and present a detailed report on merit to the speaker, outlining the findings and suggesting appropriate actions.
The speaker issued clear directives to the committee, emphasizing the importance of identifying any individuals involved in activities outside the Parliament House that could undermine its dignity. He instructed the committee to gather all available evidence, including CCTV footage from within the House.
“The dignity of parliament is paramount, and anyone responsible for compromising it will face severe consequences,” Speaker Sadiq was quoted as saying by sources.
Also Read: Speaker wants measures for release of arrested PTI members
On Sept 10, the Islamabad police arrested several key leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) following the alleged violation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) during a rally held in the Sangjani area of the capital and not following the allocated deadline to end the event.
The police action took place late on Monday night and arrested PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar, Sher Afzal Marwat, Shoaib Shaheen, Zain Qureshi, Sheikh Waqas Akram, and 12 other members.
Marwat was detained while returning from a National Assembly session, Shoaib Shaheen apprehended from his residence, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan arrested outside the Parliament House in a coordinated operation. In addition, Marwat's private security guard was taken into custody for allegedly resisting the police during the arrest. The arrests were carried out at the gate of the Parliament House and inside it.
Also Read: Speaker forms inquiry committee on PTI MNAs' arrests from Parliament House
Among those arrested were also PTI MNA Maulana Naseem Shah, Aamir Dogar, Owais, Ahmad Chattha, Syed Shah Ahad, and Yousuf Khan. Another MNA, Zubair Khan, who represents South Waziristan, was also taken into custody shortly after exiting the Parliament House.
Authorities had sealed off Islamabad's Red Zone, sparking fears that more PTI leaders may be detained. Police officials stated that the arrests were linked to an FIR filed after the Sangjani rally. Arrests of more key figures, including Omar Ayub and Zartaj Gul, were expected.
Law enforcement officers cited a range of charges, including non-compliance with rally regulations, clashing with police personnel, and making anti-state speeches during the gathering.
