Chaudhry Abdul Ghaffoor faces embarrassment at PA: Even the prisons minister can’t open every door!

* Guards, security in charge bar minister’s telephone repairman from entering PA
* Minister exchanges harsh words with security staff, storms off
* Says guards ‘did a good job of following rules’

By Hussain Kashif

LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Prisons Chaudhry Abdul Ghaffoor was at the centre of yet another embarrassing moment at the Punjab Assembly (PA), when he became involved in a harsh exchange of wrods with security guards outside the assembly building.

During Friday’s session, security guards manning the walkthrough security gates at the entrance to the PA building stopped a telephone repairman from the Civil Secretariat. They became suspicious of the technician’s toolkit, a large bag with various tools.

The technician told the security guards that the minister for prisons had asked him to come fix the telephone in his office. Chaudhry Ghaffoor, who was in the House at the time, was called to the scene and arrived immediately. He insisted that the security guards allow the technician inside, and became angry when they refused, he became angry. Harsh words were exchanged, and a visibly angry Chaudhry Ghafoor stomped off to lodge a complaint with Chief Security Officer Sardar Akbar, but even he refused to allow the technician inside the PA building with his toolkit.

During all of this, a sizeable crowd had gathered and witnessed the exchange between the minister and the security guards. After meeting defeat from all sides, the minister stormed off the premises.

Under new rules – evolved in view of the extraordinary security measures for the PA building – only members, their staff, PA employees, media personnel and other concerned individuals are allowed inside the building. Permission to allow access to anyone can only be granted by the speaker. In view of the fragile law and order situation, the speaker has directed security guards not to allow access to any individuals carrying suspicious-looking bags or tools.

Talking to Daily Times, Chaudhry Ghaffoor said that he had asked a telephone repairman from the Civil Secretariat to come and fix the phone in his office in the Punjab Assembly, but the guards at the PA building did not allow him inside because of “extraordinary security measures”. He said the guards did a good job of observing the rules and regulations.

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