Political Turmoil in Pakistan: Speaker Suspends Security Officials

Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq suspended five security officials after opposition lawmakers from former premier Imran Khan’s party were arrested from Parliament. The incident incited discontent and warnings from coalition government allies, leading Sadiq to pledge corrective actions and issue production orders for the detained members.

Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on Wednesday suspended five security officials following the arrest of opposition lawmakers belonging to jailed former premier Imran Khan's party from the Parliament building.

Sadiq, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader, took action after plainclothes officials reportedly entered Parliament on Tuesday to arrest lawmakers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), including chairman Gohar Ali Khan. The crackdown prompted an outcry even among coalition government parties.

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 exposed his inability to safeguard the rights of his fellow parliamentarians, and vowed to fix the responsibility and punish the attackers, sources said. Following an inquiry, Sadiq took action and suspended five security officials.

The speaker also ordered authorities to let the arrested lawmakers of Khan's party attend the National Assembly session on Thursday. The development came when a PTI delegation, led by chairman Gohar Ali Khan, met Sadiq and urged him to fulfil his promise to issue production orders for arrested members.

Talking to the media, Gohar confirmed that Sadiq had issued the production orders for the arrested PTI members. 'All the members will be present in the house tomorrow,' he said.

At least 11 lawmakers were arrested in the raid at the parliament on Tuesday. According to an official statement, Sergeant-at-Arms 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. Suspension orders were also issued for Security Assistant Waqas Ahmed and three junior security assistants Obaidullah, Waheed Safdar, and Muhammad Haroon.

The PTI delegation faced the ire of authorities following a rally demanding Imran Khan's release, resulting in clashes with police.

The 71-year-old former-cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan faces multiple legal cases and has been imprisoned for over a year. PTI leaders condemned the arrests, deeming it an attack on parliament, warning of stronger extremist movements if political space is denied.

(With inputs from agencies.)