Pakistan NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq suspends five security officials following arrest of Opposition lawmakers

Ayaz Sadiq suspends security officials after arrest of Imran Khan's party members, sparking outrage and political tensions in Pakistan.

Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on Wednesday (September 11, 2024) suspended five security officials following the arrest of Opposition lawmakers belonging to jailed former premier Imran Khan’s party from the Parliament building.

Mr. Sadiq, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader, took action after plain-cloth officials reportedly entered the Parliament on Tuesday (September 10, 2024) to arrest lawmakers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, including party chairman Gohar Ali Khan. The crackdown prompted an outcry even by the parties which are part of the coalition government.

Members of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), both government allies, expressed discontent with the arrests, warning that it would further escalate tensions.

“The Speaker was livid after the incident, which showed his inability to safeguard the rights of his fellow Parliamentarians and vowed to fix the responsibility and punish the attackers. Following an inquiry, Sadiq took action,” sources said.

According to an official statement, Sergeant-at-Arms (BPS-20) Muhammad Ishfaq Ashraf was suspended for 120 days.

“During the period of his suspension, he will be entitled to draw pay and allowances as admissible under the applicable rules,” the order read, adding that the action was taken under Rule 5(1) (suspension and leave) of the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020.

In a separate notice, the suspension orders were issued for Security Assistant Waqas Ahmed (grade-14 official) and three junior security assistants (grade-9 officials), including Obaidullah, Waheed Safdar and Muhammad Haroon.