KP Government Denies Murad Saeed’s Presence in CM House Amidst PTI Protests
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government spokesperson Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif has refuted claims by the federal government that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Murad Saeed was hiding in the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar. Addressing a program Naya Pakistan, Barrister Saif stated, “If they had seen Murad Saeed, they would have arrested him,” dismissing the allegations as baseless.
Barrister Saif further argued that PTI protesters were unarmed during their recent Islamabad demonstrations, accusing law enforcement agencies of opening fire on peaceful workers. He also criticized the federal government for spreading misleading information.
Government’s Counterclaims
Earlier, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar alleged that Murad Saeed, a proclaimed offender after the May 9 riots, was leading an armed group of PTI supporters during the recent protests. Addressing a press conference, Tarar shared video evidence purportedly showing protesters armed with guns, shells, and marbles, recovered from the protest frontline after arrests.
Clashes and Casualties
The protests, which lasted three days following PTI founder Imran Khan’s “final call,” saw violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in defiance of Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) orders. The clashes resulted in the martyrdom of five LEA personnel, including three Rangers and two policemen, while PTI claimed the deaths of at least 12 supporters.
Tarar challenged PTI to provide video evidence of LEAs using live ammunition, asserting that no LEA personnel were permitted to use such measures. He presented videos allegedly showing PTI protesters firing indiscriminately and using weapons against LEAs.
Propaganda Allegations
The information minister dismissed PTI’s claims of “straight firing” by LEAs as propaganda, accusing the party of employing professional criminals and Afghan nationals to incite violence and create bloodshed. He emphasized that hospitals, including PIMS and Poly Clinic, had confirmed no gunshot-related deaths during the protests.
Tarar criticized PTI’s pattern of staging protests during significant foreign visits, highlighting the disruption during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to upholding the state’s writ and ensuring public safety, accusing PTI of attempting to derail peace, sabotage the economy, and provoke chaos.
Conclusion
The federal and provincial governments remain at odds over the narrative surrounding PTI’s recent protests, as the authorities vow to maintain law and order while countering alleged propaganda and violence.
