Pakistan challenges BBC over protest death toll reports

Pakistan's government has formally challenged BBC News reporting of civilian deaths during last week's violent protests in Islamabad, demanding corrections to what it calls inaccurate casualty figures published in three separate reports, amid escalating disputes over the deadly demonstrations.

In a letter to the BBC confirmed Monday by Information Minister Ataullah Tarar's office to Nukta, the Ministry of Information disputed reports published November 27 that claimed "more than a dozen people were killed, most of them civilians" during protests demanding former Prime Minister Imran Khan's release.

The ministry's letter specifically contested three BBC reports published at 1:21 p.m., 4:22 p.m., and 5:15 p.m. Pakistan Standard Time, which reported civilian deaths and "hundreds" of overnight arrests. The government called the reporting a "contravention to journalistic ethics" and urged the broadcaster to issue corrections.

The casualty figures have been heavily disputed since the protests organized by Pakistan's main opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) turned violent on November 26.

While PTI has claimed that hundreds of its supporters were killed in the crackdown, government officials have categorically denied these allegations, stating there were no fatalities during the operation.

Information Minister Tarar has dismissed social media reports of protester deaths as "fabricated," challenging protest organizers to produce police or post-mortem reports. In a recent interview, he alleged that Bushra Bibi, Khan's wife who led the march to the capital, "wanted bodies" for political leverage.

Joint task force formed

In a related development, the government announced Friday the formation of a joint task force to identify individuals allegedly involved in "misleading propaganda" against state institutions.

The 10-member body, led by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, has been given 10 days to submit recommendations for action against those accused of spreading false information about security forces during the protests.

PTI claims multiple civilian protesters were killed when security forces used live ammunition, though PTI leaders have claimed wildly different figures of deaths ranging from half a dozen to more than 270, as government officials steadfastly deny any casualties at all.

The overview

Last week's protests escalated when demonstrators attempted to reach D-Chowk, a public square near Parliament, leading to clashes with security forces using tear gas and rubber bullets.

The demonstrations coincided with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko's state visit, prompting authorities to deploy the army under Article 245 of the Constitution.

The government accused protesters of employing "militant tactics" and carrying automatic weapons, while PTI maintained its supporters were peaceful.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi claimed 37 Afghan nationals were among those arrested, describing the protests as "a well-orchestrated operation involving militant tactics."

PTI has strongly rejected these allegations, calling November 26 "one of the darkest chapters in the nation's history." The party accused the government of "shedding the innocent blood of unarmed citizens" and misusing constitutional provisions to justify its actions.

The protests began when thousands of PTI supporters, led by Khan's wife Bushra Bibi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, marched toward Islamabad demanding Khan's release from prison and challenging February's election results.

Both leaders reportedly left the protest site before security forces began their clearance operation.

Khan, who has been imprisoned since August 2023, issued a call from his cell in Adiala Jail for more supporters to join the protests, even as violent clashes erupted between demonstrators and security forces.

The former prime minister faces multiple charges ranging from corruption to instigation of violence, all of which he and his party deny.