Fresh SOPs issued following terrorist attack at Imambargah: Talal

ISLAMABAD: Following the recent terrorist attack at an Imambargah during Friday prayers, the government has issued fresh standard operating procedures (SOPs) to strengthen security in the federal capital, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said on Monday.

Speaking to the media after a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior, Chaudhry said new security directives had been introduced in the wake of the attack to prevent any untoward incidents in Islamabad.

Responding to a question regarding reports that police had prevented the supply of food to participants of the sit-in organised by Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the minister said various kinds of parathas (bread) were delivered to the protesters.

He alleged that individuals who were not parliamentarians were brought in during the protest and claimed that armed persons were escorted to the Parliament Lodges, where families reside. Calling the move, a violation of parliamentary sanctity, he said such actions had undermined the dignity of Parliament.

Chaudhry said that medical reports regarding the jailed PTI founding chairman might have reached the Supreme Court (SC). He maintained that a detailed medical examination had been conducted and that the reports were satisfactory.

“The PTI founder has the eyesight of a young man — he is seeing and reading,” the minister said.

Earlier, the National Assembly Standing Committee met with MNA Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz over the security arrangements in the Red Zone, which were affecting the movement of parliamentarians.

MNA Nabeel Gabol said that a Station House Officer (SHO) had behaved in an extremely inappropriate manner with a parliamentarian. Questioning the security response, he asked what kind of fear authorities had of members of parliament.

Talal Chaudhry, however, stated that an MNA had engaged in a scuffle with police personnel. He further claimed that unidentified armed individuals had arrived at the premises and attempted to enter.

Gabol also claimed that all MNAs were prevented from leaving parliament. Referring to the recent incident in Islamabad, the committee chairman said that everyone was aware of the details surrounding the event.

The minister said that all decisions regarding the security of the parliament house and lodges are made under the directions of Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairman of the Senate.

A senior official of Ministry of Interior briefed the committee about the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the financial year 2026-27. A senior official of FC Balochistan told the committee that the projects being presented were the same as those submitted earlier. “Our projects have still not been approved,” he said.

He emphasized the need for the construction of additional check posts, particularly in light of post–Pak-Afghan war security requirements. “After the Pak-Afghan war, construction of check posts has become essential,” he stated.

Secretary, Ministry of Interior, informed the committee that all proposed projects are forwarded to the Ministry of Planning for approval. However, committee member Syed Rafiullah questioned the process, asking, “If previous projects are not approved, what is the benefit of submitting new ones?”

The Interior Secretary reiterated that every project received by the ministry is sent to Planning for consideration.

MNA Rafiullah also noted that the committee had previously recommended separate residential facilities for men and women, urging authorities to implement the proposal.

Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry said that every detail had been presented before the prime minister’s committee. The committee chairman stressed that all funds allocated for security forces deployed at the borders must be released.

The chairman further pointed out that pilgrims (Zaireen) had been facing significant difficulties at border areas due to the lack of proper accommodation facilities. Interior Secretary revealed that projects worth Rs55 billion had been proposed, but only Rs10 billion had been allocated.

Officials from FC Balochistan South stated that a rest area for pilgrims is available at Taftan. However, they added that FC South had not received funding for the past two years.

The committee also discussed ‘the Guardians and Wards (Amendment) Bill 2025’ moved by MNA Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar. The proposed legislation seeks to address matters related to child custody and parental rights following separation or divorce.

Officials from the Ministry of Law informed the committee that after the separation of parents, courts decide custody matters based on the circumstances of each case.

Nosheen Iftikhar emphasized that even after divorce, both parents should be allowed visitation rights and continued contact regarding matters concerning their children. She further proposed that such custody cases should be decided within six months to ensure timely justice. The committee chairman advised that the bill be reviewed and refined in consultation with the Ministry of Law before further proceedings.

The parliamentary body also discussed the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill 2025- (Section 498D and Schedule II) on the domestic violence moved by MNA Shazia Marri.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026