'Final call became a missed call,' says Pakistan minister about protest for Khan's release

Tensions in Islamabad eased on November 27, 2024, after Pakistan's security forces dispersed protesters from the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, who had gathered to demand the release of their leader, former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The protests turned violent on the third day of the march when demonstrators clashed with security forces near the parliament building. Conflicting reports about casualties emerged on social media, adding to the chaos.

While PTI supporters claimed several party workers were killed in the operation, government officials have strongly disputed these allegations.

In an exclusive interview with Nuktain Islamabad, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar denied reports of any PTI workers being killed during the operation at D-Chowk, a major gathering point near the parliament.

PTI casualties 'fabricated'

Tarar dismissed the ongoing social media campaigns alleging casualties among protesters as fabricated, pointing out that Polyclinic Hospital had also denied such reports.

"Where is the police or post-mortem report?" he questioned. He further alleged that Bushra Bibi, Khan's wife, who led the march to the capital, "wanted bodies" for political mileage.

He stated that security forces neither opened fire directly on protesters nor received orders to do so.

While acknowledging that security personnel were martyred, Tarar stated that the protesters were armed and opened fire directly at the forces. He added that "they wanted the bodies to fall, but we did not give them the chance."

He emphasized his presence at the scene, stating that he personally witnessed aerial firing, which he claimed came from the protesters' side.

He also referenced a video he released the previous day, purportedly showing protesters firing tear gas. "Four Rangers personnel and two police officers were martyred; their [PTI’s] goal was to shed blood," he alleged.

Tarar argued that while the state should act with magnanimity and patience, it faced criticism on social media for not taking action against the protesters. He explained that the state avoids acting harshly against its supporters and political workers being used as shields.

'PTI leadership fled the scene'

The minister explained that the government’s patience wore thin after protesters crossed certain boundaries.

According to Tarar, evidence emerged suggesting that the demonstrators aimed to disrupt the visit of a foreign president by attempting to enter the Red Zone. He was referring to the visit of the Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko, who is on a 3-day state visit.

He stated that the situation escalated when protesters began attacking by climbing on containers, posing a clear threat to order and security. He added that, at that point, the government concluded such actions against the state could not be tolerated, prompting decisive measures to restore control.

Additionally, Tarar alleged that before the operation against the protesters had even begun, the entire PTI leadership, including Ali Amin Gandapur and Bushra Bibi, had already fled the scene.

He noted that while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Gandapur participated in the protests, the rest of the PTI leadership was notably absent.

"Atif Khan, Shahram Tarakai, Asad Qaiser, Hammad Azhar, and Sheikh Waqas Akram were nowhere to be seen," he stated.

Bushra 'not very educated'

Criticizing Imran Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, Tarar said that she, "who is not very educated, came to collect bodies that were not found."

Regarding negotiations between the government and PTI before the protest began, Tarar confirmed that no discussions had taken place.

He explained that, a day before the protest began, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had conveyed the Islamabad High Court's orders to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar and extended an invitation for a meeting at Sangjani. However, he said that "negotiations did not take place and were not intended to."

Tarar claimed that 37 Afghan nationals were arrested among the protesters. "There were 37 Afghans with them who had been arrested," he said, adding that "there were also terrorists, thieves, and dacoits involved in criminal activities with them."

In response to criticism regarding the state's use of force, Tarar argued that the protesters had killed security personnel and committed illegal acts.

He noted that when arrests began, the protesters' fear escalated, causing many to flee. He added that the "final call became a missed call" as the situation unfolded.