Rangers withdraw from security of parliament: sources

ISLAMABAD: Following the incident outside the accountability court, Rangers have withdrawn from security of Parliament as none of the personnel came to duty during the last two days, sources told Geo News Wednesday.

On Monday, Rangers personnel disallowed Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal from entering the accountability court. The minister arrived as the court conducted hearing of three NAB references filed against Nawaz Sharif.

The episode irked the minister who said that he would rather resign than be a "puppet minister". He said that the Rangers claimed to have "their own orders", adding that this is a deplorable state of affairs which demands being taken notice of.

"Rangers are subordinate to my ministry…they’re supposed to work under the command of the civil administration. If Rangers have refused to observe orders, a high-level inquiry will be held and we will see who has challenged the writ of the government," said a visibly upset Iqbal.

When approached, senior administration officials confirmed the development to Geo News.

Security officials at the Parliament House have informed offices of the speaker and deputy speaker, sources added.

They further informed that the paramilitary force took the stance that Islamabad administration should submit a written application for providing security to the parliament.

For the last two days, only police and Elite Force have been deployed for the security of the parliament, sources added.

'FC ordered to take charge of parliament's security'

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior ordered the Frontier Constabulary to take charge of the parliament's security, sources said.

In his briefing to the interior minister, they added, the Islamabad chief commissioner said the Rangers were unilaterally withdrawn from the Parliament House.

'Explanation sought from DG Rangers'

Sources further informed that the ministry also sought an explanation from DG Rangers over the episode, which took place outside the accountability court, in 72 hours.

The ministry, in a letter written to the top Rangers official, questioned on whose orders Rangers personnel arrived at the judicial complex, despite the fact that they had neither been summoned by the Ministry of Interior, nor district administration, sources added.