PTI claims at least 12 workers killed in D Chowk firing
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central Secretary Information Waqas Akram Sheikh stated that during the D-Chowk protest in Islamabad, 12 party workers were martyred and hundreds were injured.
He added that the helpline for injured, arrested, and missing workers has started working from today. Following the approval of a resolution in the Balochistan Assembly to ban PTI, he announced that the party would soon bring a resolution in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly to ban the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
In a press conference with Opposition Leader Omar Ayub, Waqas Akram Sheikh condemned the government's actions and stated that such behavior had never been seen in Pakistan's history of protests.
"Right now, the whole nation and every child is feeling the pain and grief. Peaceful protesters were subjected to violence, and the government is attempting to cover up the evidence," he said.
He revealed that those who reported deaths were put in jail, and many people are still missing without trace.
"Some details are being provided by the police, while we have gathered data on the arrested individuals," he said. "Twelve people died during the protest, though the actual number is higher, but we are sharing the confirmed figures with the media. They did not allow the bodies to be handed over to the families, and the bodies were only given to the families three days later," he added.
Waqas Akram Sheikh emphasised that the government is trying to hide evidence, but these things cannot be concealed.
He raised questions about the government's actions, asking, "Which law permits shooting unarmed people? Which government has allowed shooting at peaceful citizens? How can state machinery be used against its own people?" he asked. He further stressed that protesting is not a crime and that the Constitution guarantees this right. "Our workers were prepared for teargas and rubber bullets, but not live bullets. Even soldiers in a war are allowed to protect themselves with bullets," he remarked.
Opposition Leader Omar Ayub also demanded that legal action be taken against those responsible for the violence and that a judicial inquiry be conducted. He expressed gratitude towards the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa who followed the party's leader's instructions and joined the D-Chowk protest.
Omar Ayub stated that no one advised Bushra Bibi to stay away from politics. He also said that governor's rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is not acceptable.
"All decisions of the PTI are made by the founding leader of PTI. Instead of sending the NAB team here, they should go after Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz. NAB and FIA are dormant, and they should go and retrieve the looted money from them," he said.
Omar Ayub called for a judicial inquiry into the incidents of violence and firing against peaceful protesters in Islamabad.
Speaking to the media after appearing at the Peshawar High Court, the opposition leader said that fake cases have been filed against them, including cases of motorcycle theft. He stated that they stand in solidarity with the PTI martyrs.
"Financial assistance has been announced for the injured and the families of the martyrs." He urged the prime minister to form a committee to bring the facts to light.
Omar Ayub praised Ali Amin Gandapur, saying that he did not sleep even for an hour. He mentioned that obstacles were placed in front of their peaceful protest, and the CM had said not to enter the Red Zone and remain peaceful. Ayub claimed that an assassination attempt had been made on him, which was carried out by the IG Islamabad and the federal government. He demanded that the Chief Justice form a fact-finding committee and announce a judicial inquiry.
He further stated that Gandapur and Bushra Bibi were traveling in a bulletproof vehicle, and their car was directly fired upon. He said if their vehicle had not been bulletproof, they could have been hit by the bullets.
He also mentioned that there was an attempt to abduct the CM and Bushra. He added that talk of imposing governor's rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa was ongoing, but such a move is unacceptable. "It would be an injustice to the people's votes, and they would not tolerate it."
He said that more than 300 Rangers were sent to Haripur. He questioned how the Rangers entered Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa without permission. "Upon contacting the IG and the chief secretary, they informed him that Rangers cannot enter the province without the cabinet's approval. He emphasised that the Constitution does not allow firing on unarmed civilians.
He further stated that a sniper used at D-Chowk and weapons that were meant to be used against terrorists were instead used on common citizens. "The weapons provided by the US were used, and there will be an investigation on the use of these automatic weapons."
Omar Ayub condemned the incident where a person praying on the container was thrown off, asking where such actions are allowed. He called for the court martial of the officials involved in the incident and for exemplary punishment. He also reiterated that instead of sending the NAB team to Islamabad, they should focus on recovering the looted wealth from Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz.
"NAB and FIA are dormant, and the looted wealth should be retrieved."
Ali Amin Gandapur
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has challenged the provincial opposition, saying that if its leaders had the courage, they should impose Governor's rule.
"If you do so and still stay in this province, we won't consider ourselves worthy of our lineage," he said. "We also have weapons, ammunition and resources. Fear the day when we respond to bullets with bullets. If we abandon peace and take up arms, things will change drastically."
He accused the government of targeting them on their return from Islamabad. "We were shot at continuously, faced barriers and were pursued after entering Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Under which law was this done? We protected Imran Khan's dignity and safely escorted Bushra Bibi out." He made these remarks while addressing the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Friday.
Gandapur criticised the government "Following past practices, they have authorised military intervention under Article 245. In 1977, during Bhutto's era, bullets were fired in Anarkali, and during Nawaz Sharif's tenure, Model Town witnessed a similar tragedy. Now, bullets have been fired at D-Chowk," he said.
"As we entered Punjab's limits at Daudkhel, we were fired upon. The same happened at point 26, injuring and killing our workers," he recalled. "Our leader is unjustly imprisoned. Peaceful protests for his release were met with violence. For the first time in this country's history, such a massive crowd came out for a leader. I challenge anyone to show a march of this scale in history."
He accused the decision-makers of pushing the country towards division "The blood of our workers will not go in vain," he warned.
"Those responsible for these actions will face consequences. We also have weapons and resources. Fear the day when we leave peace behind and take up arms. We have fought against terrorism and now demand our rights, yet we are shot at." He also cautioned the government not to force his party to chant slogans along the lines of 'If it is to be so, let it be so.'"
"When Punjab police officers are caught, they chant slogans for Imran Khan. They tell us not to enter the Red Zone. Is the Red Zone your father's property? It belongs to us too. Imran Khan directed us to protest in D-Chowk without entering the Red Zone<" he claimed.
"Show us the footage of who entered the Red Zone. We faced assassination attempts, starting from Kulsoom Hospital to China Chowk and D-Chowk. Bullets were fired. If you had used LMGs in Kashmir, it would have been liberated by now. The nation paying taxes is being shot at."
Gandapur claimed that bullets were fired at him, but Safe City cameras are now malfunctioning "Upon entering the province. I was followed and attacked. Still, I protected Imran Khan's honor, although only Allah ultimately protects."
He sent out a message to: abandon a path for the sake of power, and gather strength. "We don't seek power; we seek respect, freedom, and self-dignity. Under these circumstances, a revolution is necessary. Wake up and fight for your rights, or everyone's turn will come."
He said that when peace becomes a curse, all talks of it should end. "We will plead with Imran Khan not to use the word 'peaceful' anymore. We will not let the blood of our workers go in vain."
Other speakers, including Dr. Amjad, Aurangzeb, and Suhail Afridi, also addressed the assembly. They said the Constitution is being violated, and the people are being treated as insignificant. The leaders pointed out that they protested for their leader's release, which was a legal right. They added shelling was carried out at Hassan Abdal, and stun grenades were thrown.
The K-P Assembly MPAs claimed attempt was made to arrest the chief minister. "At D-Chowk, while peacefully sitting, firing began. Are we not citizens of this country that bullets are fired at us? Our passion and determination have increased. We will return to D-Chowk with even greater fervor to struggle for true freedom."