Asad Qaiser states press gallery closed in consultation with journalists, journalists deny

National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser said that he closed the doors of the press gallery during President Arif Alvi’s speech to a joint session of parliament after getting ‘reports’ that there was a possibility of a ruckus between two journalists’ groups.

The speaker while speaking to journalists, claimed that he made this decision after consulting the Parliamentary Reporters Association (PRA).

“I couldn’t afford a fight between two groups in Parliament which could have resulted in the disrespect of media and the House,” Qaiser said adding, “however, there was some misunderstanding.”

Asad Qaiser, while taking to media, has said PRA knew beforehand that press gallery would be closed for journalists in the joint session. He further said the decision was taken after consulting PRA.@HamidMirPAK @Xadeejournalist https://t.co/0kgYBRRaMl pic.twitter.com/H0K9SkZigG

— Qurrat ul Ain Shirazi (@annie_shirazi) September 14, 2021

After Qaiser’s claims, the PRA categorically denied the speaker’s statement and challenged him to name the journalists who met him as PRA representatives, reported Dawn.

“PRA delegation has not met the Speaker National Assembly nor has the PRA been taken into confidence over the closure of the Press Gallery,” says the statement issued by PRA’s information secretary Malik Saeed Awan.

“PRA delegation has not met the Speaker National Assembly nor has the PRA been taken into confidence over the closure of the Press Gallery,” says the statement issued by PRA’s information secretary Malik Saeed Awan.

“PRA strongly condemns this black lie of the Speaker”. Awan demanded an inquiry to determine which delegation met with and misrepresented the journalist organisation.

In a first in Pakistan’s history, reporters were not allowed to enter a joint session of Parliament on Monday, September 13.

Parliamentary reporters were to be present in the press gallery for the president’s address but entered the hallway to find that the door was locked. The press gallery was closed for the journalists.

PRA strongly condemned the closure of the press gallery and said, “Closing the gallery is the worst dictatorship.”

Pakistani journalists protested in front of the Parliament House against the proposed Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA), which aims to muzzle media freedom. The protest started on Sunday, September 12, Journalists marched from the National Press Club to the Parliament House and stayed overnight.