Journalists barred from covering NSC meeting at Parliament House

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 8 November 2021

In a move seen as a restriction on press freedom, journalists were not permitted to cover a National Security Committee meeting at Parliament House. Speaker Asad Qaiser's decision has sparked criticism regarding transparency.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser, in another attempt to curb press freedom, restricted the entry of journalists into the Parliament House.

According to a tweet by parliamentary reporter Nadir Guramani, journalists were not allowed to cover the meeting of the National Security Committee, in which COAS was also invited.

"The arrival of the army chief in the Senate, interaction with opposition leaders and other meetings of the National Security Committee have been covered by the media in the past, but now journalists have been banned from entering the Parliament House," Guramani tweeted, terming the move unnecessary and beyond comprehension.

The meeting was scheduled at the main hall of the National Assembly, for which invitations were sent to more than 80 people, including MNAs, senators, members of the federal cabinet, four provincial chief ministers, and the Azad Jammu and Kashmir prime minister.

Photo: Twitter (@NAofPakistan)

KEY POINTS:

• Journalists barred from covering NSC meeting
• Decision made by Speaker Asad Qaiser
• Concerns raised over press freedom
• Meeting included high-profile attendees
• Previous meetings covered by the media