Government Reveals Details of PTI’s ‘Do-or-Die’ Islamabad Protest and Economic Impact
Days after the violent protests in Islamabad, the Ministry of Interior released a detailed account on Sunday, shedding light on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) controversial “do-or-die” protest. The ministry’s report addressed key developments, allegations of social media propaganda, economic losses, and the violent clashes between PTI supporters and law enforcement agencies (LEAs).
IHC Directives and Initial Negotiations
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) had directed the federal government on November 21 to ensure law and order during the protests. The Ministry of Interior engaged with PTI leadership to designate the Sangjani area as the protest site, citing security concerns, especially during the visits of the Belarusian President and a high-level Chinese delegation. Despite extraordinary concessions, PTI violated court orders and moved towards Islamabad’s Red Zone, creating chaos.
Violent Tactics and Allegations
According to the ministry, PTI protestors, armed with firearms, steel slingshots, tear gas shells, and nail-studded batons, repeatedly clashed with LEAs during their march from Peshawar to Islamabad. The protests, allegedly supported by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) government resources, included a violent vanguard of 1,500 individuals led by PTI leader Murad Saeed.
The government claimed the group included Afghan nationals who spearheaded the riots, employing militant tactics to breach security barriers. Despite sustaining injuries, LEAs reportedly exercised restraint, using non-lethal measures to manage the unrest.
Casualties and Economic Losses
The violent protests resulted in significant casualties and economic setbacks:
- Casualties: Three Rangers personnel and one policeman were martyred, while 232 LEA personnel were injured.
- Property Damage: Protestors set police vehicles ablaze, damaged infrastructure, and caused widespread panic among residents.
- Economic Impact: The estimated daily economic loss was Rs. 192 billion, with additional security costs incurred. Eleven LEA vehicles, including prison vans, were destroyed.
The Ministry also reported the recovery of 39 lethal weapons, including 18 automatic firearms, and the arrest of over three dozen foreign nationals involved in the protests.
Fake News and Propaganda
The ministry said social media accounts of the PTI resorted to planned and coordinated massive fake propaganda of deaths caused by the LEAs so as to divert attention from this senseless, violent and failed activity.
The major hospitals of the capital city after due diligence rubbished reports of alleged gunshots and casualties inflicted by the LEAs. However, a sustained fabricated social media campaign, using old and AI-generated clips is being viciously undertaken by PTI and joined by other inimical elements, it said. There have been multiple false claims of deaths ranging from tens to hundreds to thousands on social media as well as the PTI political leadership and their official pages, it added.
“Alarmingly, certain elements of foreign media also fell prey to this fake news and propaganda without any credible evidence. The government functionaries including ministers as well as chief commissioner of ICT and senior police officials, who were directly involved in these riot control operations, have already repeatedly explained and clarified the actual situation and events unfolding with credible evidence. It may also be noted that use of lethal means by the LEAs, if at all to be employed, was best suited at multiple route blocks rather than within Red Zone under complete media and public glare,” it said.
The interior ministry further said officers and jawans of the LEAs embraced shahadat, sustained injuries and risked their lives enduring grave physical hardships for multiple days to protect the lives and properties of citizens of Pakistan. Still, many Rangers and police personnel were critically injured and were receiving medical care, it added.
“Unfortunately, the PTI and its social media propagandists are bent upon to create divisions and confusion within the society. Such elements, whether inside the country or abroad, will surely be held accountable under relevant laws and no one will be allowed to sow divisions, hatred and propagate fake news.
“It is deplorable that the chief minister of KP made baseless inflammatory statements against institutions, using KP Assembly as a platform to distort facts and spread blatant lies, rather than being shameful of inciting innocent youth of KP for such undesirable activities,” the ministry said.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs noted that 39 lethal weapons including 18 automatic weapons had been recovered from the violent protesters and that amongst the apprehended offenders there were more than three dozen paid foreigners.
Accountability and Public Support
The government emphasized that it would hold all individuals and entities spreading misinformation accountable under the law. It praised LEAs for their sacrifices and reiterated the nation’s commitment to peace and stability.
The ministry condemned KP Chief Minister’s inflammatory remarks and alleged misuse of government resources for the protests. It called on the public to reject extremist political tactics, stating that the majority of Pakistanis, including KP residents, have shown their support for peace and stability.
PTI’s Counterclaims
PTI has claimed that nearly 1,000 workers were arrested during the crackdown at D-Chowk and alleged that security forces shot hundreds of protestors, causing casualties ranging from eight to 40.
Despite the PTI’s allegations, the Ministry of Interior concluded that the nation’s resolve for unity and stability remains stronger than ever.
