Ayaz reinstates sergeant at arms, others

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has reinstated Sergeant at Arms of the National Assembly Capt Ashfaq Ashraf after six months of suspension.

He had been suspended on September 10 last year when 10 members of parliament belonging to the PTI were arrested by law-enforcement agencies (LEA) about mid-night from the parliament building. The agencies personnel conducted the operation after switching off the lights of the Parliament House. The speaker placed the sergeant and some other staffers under suspension and ordered investigations.

Well-placed parliamentary sources told The News/Jang here on Saturday that after thorough investigations, it transpired that the NA officials didn’t commit any negligence during the whole action.

Ashfaq has been assigned to provide protection to the president and other dignitaries during the joint sitting of parliament tomorrow (Monday). The National Assembly Secretariat has issued about 170 invitation cards for diplomats posted in Islamabad. All four governors and chief ministers have also been invited for witnessing the address of the president.