Raoof Hasan attacked by transgender persons

ISLAMABAD:

PTI Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan was attacked by a group of transgender individuals in Islamabad on Tuesday.

According to the spokesperson for Islamabad Police, Hasan was attacked with a blade outside a private TV office. “Eyewitnesses reported that transgender individuals struck Raoof Hasan on the face with a blade,” he added.

He said that the police officials were present at the scene and collecting evidence. “Strict action will be taken against the transgender individuals involved in this attack,” he further said.

Following the attack, the perpetrators managed to flee the scene with ease.
Hasan was transferred to a hospital for medical treatment. Later in the day, he was discharged from the hospital.

The incident was raised in the Senate by PTI Senator Shibli Faraz, who informed the upper house during a session, calling the incident “unacceptable.”

“The spokesperson for the largest party of Pakistan has been attacked. This is shameful and unacceptable,” he added.Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar responded, stating, "The opposition leader has just shared this matter. Who attacked, where the attack occurred – these issues will be examined as per law. Raoof Hasan should file a report, and action will be taken according to the law."

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He also assured that he would inform the house after obtaining a report from the IG Islamabad or the relevant officials.

PTI staged a walkout from the Senate, condemning the attack and demanding swift action from the authorities.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan condemned the attack, demanding immediate investigation and action.

"I am here at the hospital to meet Raoof Hassan," said Gohar in a statement issued by PTI’s Central Media Department. "Hasan has three deep wounds on his cheek, and stitches are being administered. From the severity of the wounds, it is evident that this was an attempt on his life. God has granted Hasan a new life."
Gohar said that Hasan is the spokesperson of the largest and most popular political party in Pakistan and the party’s chief election commissioner.

A message posted on the X account of PTI founder Imran Khan, which is managed by his social media team, said:

“The entire nation knows who is orchestrating these attacks on our leadership. It’s the same powers that lurk in the shadows and use proxies to harass & threaten judges and make a mockery of elections by brazenly tampering results.

“Let us make it very clear that PTI will not be deterred by such dirty tactics & violence which only serve to expose the perpetrators before the nation.”Meanwhile, Islamabad Police have formed teams to apprehend the attackers.

According to sources, five teams have commenced investigations from various angles.

They said that CCTV and safe city cameras are being utilised to aid the investigation, adding that checkpoints have been established at different locations to arrest the assailants.

They reveal that the attack appears to be an assassination attempt, adding that the blade used during the incident caused a deep wound to the face of the PTI leader.