PTI confirms 12 killed in Islamabad protest despite earlier claims of higher death toll

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has confirmed that at least 12 individuals have died during the Islamabad protest, following earlier claims of a significant death toll.

Speaking at a press conference with Opposition Leader Omar Ayub in Peshawar on Friday, PTI's central spokesperson, Waqas Akram Sheikh, described the government’s actions as unprecedented in Pakistan’s history of protests.

He alleged that reporting journalists about the fatalities during the Islamabad protest have been imprisoned, and that many others remain missing with no information about their whereabouts.

He revealed that while the police are providing some figures, PTI has also gathered its own data on the arrests. "Twelve individuals have died during the protest," Sheikh confirmed. "The actual number is higher, but we are sharing only the confirmed figures with the media."

He added that the bodies of the deceased were withheld for three days before being returned to their families. "The government is attempting to conceal both the bodies and evidence, but these things cannot be hidden more."

During the press conference, Sheikh also criticised the government for demanding names and proof of the deaths, as hospitals were pressured not to share lists with the media.

"Which law allows shooting unarmed people?" he asked. "Which government has opened fire on peaceful citizens? How can state machinery be used against its own people?" he added.

Right to protest

Sheikh said demanding the right to protest is not a crime, and a right granted by the constitution. "Our workers were prepared for tear gas and rubber bullets, but not for firearms and bullets," he said.

"What has the state done to its own people?" Sheikh asked, expressing disbelief at the government's approach. He also questioned the contradictory statements from ministers, who claim no shots were fired, yet fatalities and injuries continue to be reported.

"If no shots were fired, then who is responsible for these deaths?" he asked. He further warned that the government's heavy-handed tactics would only fuel more hatred and division.

Sheikh also defended the protesters, asserting that they were not terrorists but political party workers, following instructions from PTI’s founding chairman to march towards D-Chowk. "These were brave people, not terrorists. We salute their courage," he said.

Addressing the role of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Sheikh revealed that the CM had taken steps to ensure the safety of PTI's founding chairman's wife, stating that it was crucial to prevent any potential ethnic slurs.

"It was the CM's responsibility to protect her, and that's why he returned," he said. He further reported that the CM's vehicle had been shot at during the protests. "The vehicle was hit, and there were attempts to stop it, but the CM's car ultimately made it to K-P."

Sheikh stated that more than 5,500 individuals had been detained ahead of the protest. "We will ensure that all detained individuals are given the necessary facilities," he said, adding that thousands of vehicles remain parked in Islamabad as the unrest continues.

He also condemned the actions of individuals in government uniforms, accusing them of destroying private vehicles. "These individuals, with a destructive mentality, are damaging vehicles while in government uniforms," he said, adding, "The state's responsibility is to protect its citizens, but in this case, the government is causing harm."

Sheikh revealed that the Balochistan Assembly had passed a resolution calling for a ban on PTI, adding that PTI plans to bring a similar resolution in the K-P Assembly to call for a ban on the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

"Discussions are ongoing about the possibility of a governor’s rule in K-P, but the people of the province will thwart every conspiracy," he asserted.

In a separate statement, opposition leader called for legal action against all those involved in the violence, stressing that the "dark era" would soon come to an end.

"They will have to answer for this oppression," Ayub stated, demanding a judicial inquiry into the events. He also called for the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs) against the prime minister, the interior minister, and the information minister for their roles in the crackdown.

He further thanked the people of of K-P who reached D-Chowk on the orders of the founder. "On February 8, election results were manipulated. This government is illegal," Ayub declared. He also paid tribute to security forces defending the nation's borders, calling them national heroes.

"The personnel responsible for throwing people praying from a 35-foot container should be held accountable," he said, urging the Chief Justice of Pakistan to order a judicial inquiry into the events at D-Chowk.

Meanwhile, Waqas Akram Sheikh also commented on PTI's internal matters, stating that the resignation of Salman Akram Raja had not been accepted. Raja had attended the political committee meeting the previous day and was continuing his work as secretary general.