By Anzal Amin
ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said on Friday that he has issued clear directives for the confiscation of mobile phones from media personnel, social media influencers and others if they are found making videos of lawmakers when they are arriving or leaving the Parliament premises.
The directives were issued citing ‘security threats’, with the promise that strict action would be taken against media personnel, influencers, guests, or any individuals if they were found stopping lawmakers and making their videos within the Parliament premises.
“We have talked to the interior ministry as well as IG Islamabad; we are going to take strict action,” the NA speaker said while confirming that Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s security concerns were “valid” before adding that “we have also confirmed the security threats”.
”Surprising as it may seem, the Parliament building is located in the Red Zone where security is always on alert as many key buildings, including the Supreme Court, PM House, and the Presidency are located.”
It is also the same area where the PTI had staged its marathon sit-in in 2014 and where the JUI-F forcefully staged a rally during the PML-N-led PDM government’s tenure.
The measures to secure parliament and lawmakers have come after certain individuals belonging to the PTI entered the Parliament’s galleries and started sloganeering.
Subsequently, a reporter from a media house was accused of allegedly making a video of the proceedings from the press gallery and running it on television, which angered the speaker further.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has been vocal regarding the issue and repeatedly urged the speaker to take strict action, stating that his portfolio also allows him to specify security threats.
Elaborating on the security threats to the parliament, Asif said that scores of people are present at any given time at the Parliament House and they “chase lawmakers” from the entry point to the elevators and from the gate to the parking areas. He added that the vehicle used in the Dasu attack travelled across Pakistan before it reached Dasu.
“Anyone can enter this [parliament] building. There are no security checks” Asif said.
Demanding restrictions citing security threats, the defence minister said around 100 supporters of a political party were present in the galleries earlier and were sloganeering.
“People sitting in galleries have never shouted slogans,” Asif said on the floor of the house, ignoring all the past incidents where slogans were shouted in favour of other political parties.
“Respect and dignity of the house is violated when people sitting in galleries shout slogans,” he continued. The minister urged the speaker and staff to allow the minimum number of people, adding that the practice of shouting slogans in the parliament should also be discouraged.
“Neither is this Mochi Darwaza, nor its D-Chowk where one should bring his or her supporters for sloganeering,” Asif said, reminding the speaker that he has visited the speaker’s office four to five times in this regard.
Regretting that no action has so far been taken, Asif lamented that he is unable to even walk to his personal vehicle without being bothered, blaming Tiktokers, social media influencers and activists for being a nuisance.
The defence minister also urged the speaker to pass a resolution that not only governs the decorum within the halls of the assembly but also extends to the outer areas of the Parliament.
The speaker, seconding Asif’s speech, lamented the nuisance caused by certain individuals.
Sadiq added that he has also directed the security officials to conduct random security checks and control the flow of people.
Subsequently, Sadiq reiterated strict action in this regard and prorogued the session.
