Parliament Speaker departs for official visit to Pakistan

Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla departed today on an official visit to Pakistan, where he will hold meetings with senior government officials.

The visit runs from today until Saturday.

He is accompanied by Hulhudhoo MP Mohamed Shahid, Manadhoo MP Husni Mubarak, Gan MP Yoosuf Nasheed, and Hulhumale' Central MP Abdulla Shazeem.

The Speaker’s departure comes as journalists stage protests outside Parliament against the Media Regulation Bill, submitted by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Abubakuru.

Journalists have called for the bill’s withdrawal, citing that it threatens press freedom.