PTI worker died of 'massive blunt trauma', reveals post-mortem report

Ali Bilal received 26 injuries to his body, with skull fracture and intracranial haemorrhage cited as cause of death

LAHORE:

The post-mortem examination of the body of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) work Ali Bilal has revealed that he died because of massive blunt trauma to his body, including skull fracture and intracranial hemorrhaging.

The post-mortem report, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, states that Ali Bilal received 26 injuries to his body, including serious injury to the head.

"The injuries…are anti-mortem (causing death) in nature. The pattern and distribution of injuries are consistent with massive blunt trauma," stated the report.  

“Cause of death in this case is fracture of skull and intracranial haemorrhage," concluded doctors who carried out the post-mortem examination of the deceased PTI activist.

Read more: Police crackdown on PTI turns bloody

PTI claims that Ali Bilal, more commonly known to his comrades as Zil-e-Shah, died of police violence and torture after personnel launched a crackdown on party workers and supporters protesting near PTI Chairman Imran Khan's residence in Zaman Park on Wednesday.

PTI had announced a rally from Zaman Park to Data Darbar to mark the launch of its election campaign. But violence broke out after police moved to Zaman Park to prevent the demonstrators from advancing towards Mall Road.

Footage of the clashes, shared on social media by both sides, showed police resorting to use of force against PTI workers and rounding up several protestors. In some clips, PTI workers were also seen resorting to violence, such as damaging police vehicles and attacking policemen.

Also read: Imran, others charged with terrorism after clashes at PTI rally

The PTI chief shared the news of the death of the party worker on social media platform. “Ali Bilal unarmed & our dedicated & passionate PTI worker murdered by Punjab police,” Imran wrote on Twitter.

Ali Bilal unarmed & our dedicated & passionate PTI worker murdered by Punjab police. Shameful, this brutality on unarmed PTI workers who were coming to attend election rally. Pakistan is in the grip of murderous criminals. We will file cases against IG, CCPO & others for murder. pic.twitter.com/BLQZE1uejr

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 8, 2023

“Shameful, this brutality on unarmed PTI workers who were coming to attend election rally. Pakistan is in the grip of murderous criminals. We will file cases against IG, CCPO & others for murder.”

PTI claimed the deceased could be seen being arrested by police from Zaman Park and cops, including senior police officers, giving him a beating.

A Punjab government spokesperson has denied that Bilal died in police custody. He claimed that a private vehicle had dropped him at the Lahore Services Hospital, according to CCTV footage collected from Punjab Safe City Authority.