ISLAMABAD: Taking cognisance of misbehaviour with a senator by the protocol team assigned to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the Senate Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges, in its meeting on Wednesday, sought copies of the blue book from the Ministry of Interior to share all notifications issued from time to time about protocols to be followed for VIP movements.
While deliberating upon a privilege motion filed by Senator Mohsin Aziz of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) regarding misbehaviour with him by the security personnel deputed on the route for prime minister’s convoy on March 9 at 8:00 pm while the mover was moving on a track parallel to Margalla Road, F-6/3, Islamabad, the meeting expressed their concerns over the manner adopted by the police officials.
The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Senator Sardar Muhammad Azam Musakhel at the Parliament House on Wednesday and was attended by Senators Azam Khan Swati, Dr Jehanzeb Jamaldini, Mian Raza Rabbani, Mohsin Aziz, Khanzada Khan, Pervaiz Rasheed, secretary interior, secretary science and technology, Islamabad IGP and other officials.
Senator Mohsin Aziz told the committee that despite identifying himself as a senator and even after having offered a body search, the policemen deputed for the VIP movement misbehaved with him, stopping him from walking every few minutes and asking him to stand to face the wall till the movement was over.
Senator Mohsin Aziz said that many other people were also made to stand facing gates and walls which is very derogatory for any citizen of the state. He said that the roads were cleared for all the traffic for more than 30 minutes. He asked what does the blue book says about the time duration of traffic clearing and barring pedestrians during such movements.
Senator Mian Raza Rabbani observed that the state and its law enforcement agencies should protect and safeguard its citizens instead of humiliating and demean them.
He said that the state freed an American colonel on the pretext of Geneva Conventions but on the contrary, its own citizens are being asked to stand to face the walls as the VIPs move by.
Islamabad IGP Azam Taimoori told the meeting that standard time for such traffic clearing is only 8-10 minutes and an inquiry has also been initiated to look into the conduct of the policemen involved. The matter has been deferred till the members are given the required documents.
Privilege motion of Senator Azam Swati regarding the failure to provide a copy of the government bill about PSQCA was disposed of after receiving the apology along with the suitable reason for not being able to share the copy. The matter of privilege motion of Senator Jehanzeb Jamaldini regarding the misbehaviour of XEN, C&W Noshki has been deferred till Balochistan chief secretary and C&W secretary themselves make it to the meeting to explain the situation.