National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has expressed concerns over the criticism surrounding the arrests of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmakers from Parliament, stating that he may need to consider whether to continue in his role.

This came when PTI lawmaker Sheikh Waqas Akram raised the issue of party leaders arrest from Parliament earlier this week.

Half a dozen PTI leaders were arrested on Monday by the federal capital police. They took them after the National Assembly session. The PTI leaders were charged with violating the rules of the agreement signed before Sunday’s rally. They are charged with interfering with government operations, vandalism, and violations of Section 144 – which bans gathering of more than five people – of the CrPC.

In the NA session on Tuesday, Waqas Akram, one of the ten leaders arrested and later presented under production orders, thanked those parties that supported them and acknowledged the speaker for issuing such orders.

Akram expressed his “heavy heart” over the situation, recalling the pain caused by the recent protests that led to the first information reports against them. He was of the view that it has “become a tradition” in the country for opposition members to face such legal challenges. “Even if 500 FIRs are filed, our fight will persist until our founding chairman is released.”

The PTI leader expressed his distress over the “security measures” taken in Parliament, stating that the doors had been locked and members were restricted from accessing the opposition chambers and lobbies. He noted that while the MNAs had returned to Parliament, they felt proud to be parliamentarians despite such challenges.

Sadiq detailed the complications they faced, mentioning that the Capital Development Authority staff was unavailable and that Rangers and police had surrounded Parliament. He recounted an incident where, at 3pm, his personal guards informed him that masked individuals had arrived in a jeep. “We haven’t stolen anyone’s buffalo; we’re not thieves,” he said and instructed his guards not to intervene.

He alleged that members found themselves on different floors and the electricity was turned off during the “chaotic” period. When a colleague, Zain Qureshi, began to cough, he said that “whether they catch him or not, you will make him apprehended,” which prompted laughter in the assembly.

Akram criticised the security situation in Parliament, claiming that some individuals, allegedly linked to the speaker, attempted to break down doors during the arrest. He described masked individuals present at the scene and noted that the lights were turned off again amid the confusion.

He recounted that when he asked about the whereabouts of his colleagues, he was informed that they had been detained. The PTI lawmaker explained that they were taken in an SUV belonging to Sher Afzal Marwat, and upon exiting, they encountered federal police. A dispute ensued between the police and the masked individuals, each claiming they would take the detained members. Ultimately, the police managed to escort them away.

He was of the view that the events were “not just an attack on him but on Parliament itself.” Akram pointed out that staff members had been suspended without accountability and stressed the need for identifying those responsible for infiltrating Parliament. “We are not concerned about the paperwork; we understand the pressure you are under. It is essential to find out who those individuals were that entered your premises,” he said, addressing the NA speaker and other officials.

Akram revealed that the family members of their MNA Saadullah, including his daughter, wife, and aunt, had been taken into custody until he presented himself. He questioned the “alarming trend of targeting mothers, sisters, and daughters,” expressing his frustration after inquiring with the Kohsar police about the identities of the masked individuals involved, only to be told, “You already know.”

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He called for September 10 to be declared a “Black Day,” citing the rising tensions and hatred in the country. He urged authorities to take action against those responsible for these arrests.

In response, NA Speaker Sadiq expressed concern over the implications of Akram’s statements, stating,

“It seems from your words that I am responsible for all of this. There is an impression that I had prior knowledge or consented to the events. Now I too will have to contemplate whether to continue in his role,” he said.