Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram on Friday claimed that 12 party workers were killed during the Islamabad protest earlier this week, while hundreds of others were injured.
Addressing a press conference alongside Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan, he claimed this number could rise as the party was still gathering information in the aftermath of the D-Chowk protest. He announced a helpline number, urging families of any injured, arrested, or missing workers to contact the party for support.
Condemning the government’s actions, he claimed this level of brute force was unprecedented in Pakistan’s history. “Right now, the whole nation and every child is feeling the pain and grief,” he said. “Peaceful protesters were subjected to violence, and the government is attempting to cover up the evidence,” he claimed, alleging journalists were imprisoned for reporting on the deaths. Dozens of people remain unaccounted for, he added.
“Some details are being provided by the police, while we have gathered data on the arrested individuals,” he said. “Twelve people died during the protest, though the actual number is higher, but we are sharing the confirmed figures with the media. They did not allow the bodies to be handed over to the families, and the bodies were only given to the families three days later,” he said, claiming the government was attempting to hide evidence.
“Which law permits shooting unarmed people? Which government has allowed shooting at peaceful citizens? How can state machinery be used against its own people?” he questioned, stressing protests are a constitutional right. “Our workers were prepared for teargas and rubber bullets, but not live bullets. Even soldiers in a war are allowed to protect themselves with bullets,” he said.
He said the PTI would register cases against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar over the “protesters’ deaths.”
Since the “suspension” of the PTI’s Islamabad protest, the party has repeatedly alleged that its workers were killed with live ammunition. Estimates range from eight to “hundreds.” The government has denied these allegations, maintaining law enforcers did not use any weapons in Islamabad.
To a question, Akram said the PTI planned to introduced a resolution in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly seeking a ban on the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). Earlier, a resolution passed in the Balochistan Assembly had sought a ban on the PTI for its “anti-state” actions.
Omar Ayub Khan
Opposition leader Omar Ayub, meanwhile, called for a judicial inquiry into the incident and demanded legal action against those responsible for the violence. He thanked the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa for following Imran Khan’s call and participating in the D-Chowk protest.
Rejecting media reports, he said no one had advised Bushra Imran to stay away from politics. He also lashed out at reports of the government considering the imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, saying this was unacceptable. “All decisions of the PTI are made by the founding leader of PTI. Instead of sending the NAB team here [Peshawar], they should go after Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz. NAB and FIA are dormant, and they should go and retrieve the looted money from them,” he said.
Ali Amin Gandapur
Separately, addressing the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur challenged the federal government to impose governor’s rule in the province. “We also have weapons, ammunition and resources. Fear the day when we respond to bullets with bullets. If we abandon peace and take up arms, things will change drastically,” he said, accusing the government of “continuously” shooting at his vehicle while he was attempting to flee Islamabad.
“We protected Imran Khan’s dignity and safely escorted Bushra Bibi out,” he claimed, alleging protesters were fired upon in Daudkhel, Chungi No. 26, and D-Chowk. “Our leader is unjustly imprisoned. Peaceful protests for his release were met with violence. For the first time in this country’s history, such a massive crowd came out for a leader. I challenge anyone to show a march of this scale in history,” he said, vowing the blood of the PTI’s supporters would not go in vain.
“We don’t seek power; we seek respect, freedom, and self-dignity. Under these circumstances, a revolution is necessary. Wake up and fight for your rights, or everyone’s turn will come,” he warned, adding the party leadership would urge Imran Khan to no longer use the word “peaceful.”
Other PTI MPAs also addressed the Assembly, vowing to return to D-Chowk with “greater fervor.”