ISLAMABAD: Two security guards of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif were arrested for assaulting a TV cameraman while efforts were underway to arrest the third one.

In response to directives issued by Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser, the Secretariat police registered a case against the security guards for assaulting the cameraman of Samaa TV at the Parliament House on Monday.

The case was registered in response to a complaint lodged by the cameraman, Syed Wajid Ali. The complainant said at the behest of the chief security guard of Mr Sharif, two guards assaulted him. Besides, a gunman threatened him, he added.

The police arrested one of the security guards from the Parliament House where he had been detained by the sergeant-at-arms shortly after the incident. “The second was picked during a raid at his hideout,” the police said.

Case registered on complaint of TV cameraman who was assaulted and injured by Nawaz Sharif’s security guards

Secretariat Police Station House Officer (SHO) Inspector Asjad Mehmood told Dawn that the arrested guards were produced in court from where they were sent to jail on a judicial remand.

The third accused is still at large and efforts are being made to arrest him, he added.

A senior police officer on condition of anonymity told Dawn that the guards during interrogation failed to justify their act. “It seems their overreaction led to the incident,” he added.

Police are seeking guidelines and instructions from the speaker to ensure effective security of legislators who would not be allowed to take their private guards into the Parliament House, the officer said. He said the security measures of Parliament House were also being reviewed.

The officer said former speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq had also imposed a ban on the entry of private security guards into the promises but it was never implemented.

A superintendent of police (SP) is the incharge of the security staff of Parliament House while low-ranking officials are deployed at the gates. The officer said it was difficult for the police officials to intercept private guards of lawmakers at the entrance.

“The police are willing to follow the fresh ban imposed by the speaker,” the officer added. However, the office of the inspector general of the police is seeking guidelines for the police and directives for the lawmakers to cooperate with those deployed at the gates.

The IGP office also ordered the security wing of the police, responsible for the security of Parliament House, to implement the speaker’s directive, the officer said.

Ministers visit injured at Pims

Minister for National Health Services Aamer Mehmood Kiani visited the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) to inquire after the health of the cameraman admitted there. The minister directed the hospital management to provide best facilities to the injured.

“The government believes in freedom of the press and this act on part of the security guards is condemnable,” Mr Kiani said.

Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed also visited Pims and condemned the incident. He said the FIR should have been registered against Nawaz Sharif.

Published in Dawn, December 19th, 2018