On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker, Ayaz Sadiq, announced the suspension of five security officials following the arrest of Opposition lawmakers from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party inside the Parliament building. The incident, which took place the previous day, sparked widespread outrage, even among parties within the ruling coalition.
The controversy erupted when plainclothes officials reportedly entered the Parliament premises on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, to detain PTI lawmakers, including party chairman Gohar Ali Khan. The action, perceived as an overreach by security forces, led to protests from political opponents and raised concerns about the misuse of authority.
Ayaz Sadiq, a senior member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), swiftly took action in response to the situation, which had prompted a strong backlash across Pakistan’s political spectrum. Even the coalition parties voiced their concerns over the event, highlighting the growing tension between the ruling government and the Opposition.
This development has fueled an ongoing debate over the political climate in Pakistan, with critics questioning the extent of the government’s control over parliamentary procedures and security.