Sindh Assembly slaps ban on live media coverage of proceedings over ‘security issues’

Sources say some ministers were irked by private TV channels' funny packages on provincial assembly

KARACHI: Speaker Sindh Assembly Agha Siraj Durrani slapped on Monday a ban on live media coverage of Sindh Assembly proceedings, citing security reasons.

Though the government has given looming security threats as reason behind the ban but officials told The Express Tribune some senior officials of the provincial assembly and a few ministers had objected over live coverage of assembly’s proceedings.

According to some ministers of the Sindh government, TV channels focus on unnecessary issues and are busy in making funny packages on the assembly.



“No one will be allowed to carry the TV camera. Only reporters and photographers can come and cover the assembly proceedings. Please give the electronic media access to assembly’s transmission system by setting up media box outside the assembly where cameras or DSNG cables can be plugged for the coverage,” the speaker while issuing the directives said.

The Sindh Assembly is the only provincial assembly in Pakistan which had given permission for live media coverage and cameramen are allowed to record the proceedings and make various packages.

There were reports that the decision was made during the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) parliamentary meeting. However, PPP parliamentary leader Nisar Ahmed Khuhro rejected the reports, saying “It was purely assembly’s decision and speaker is authorised to make such a decision.”

“The Pakistan Peoples Party has nothing to do with it,” he added.

The development comes over a month after a sting operation led by a private TV channel anchor who entered the assembly premises with his ‘armed’ colleague to expose the poor security arrangements at the building.



The private TV channel’s team members were apprehended by the assembly’s security soon after the incident but were later released.

Since, strict security measures have been taken by deploying heavy contingent of Sindh Police’s Special Branch and assembly guards on the assembly’s premises.

The passes recommended by information department have been cancelled and assembly itself issues the passes to reporters after proper verification.

“Many ministers are already irked on assembly’s live coverage and after recent decision it will be controlled media coverage of assembly,” senior journalist Mujahid Shah, who covers the assembly, said.

According to Shah the Assembly Secretariat has installed a few cameras inside the main hall which mostly focus on treasury benches and secretariat staff can divert the camera focus or switch it off as per policy of the ruling party as well as the speaker.