By Afshain Afzal

Fabricated stories of brutalities mass killings of PTI protesters at the hands of security forces including Rangers and Army were made public to arouse anti-state sentiments intending to create serious law and order situation. According to statement given by the former Governor Punjab and Attorney General of Pakistan, presently Member National Assembly Mr Latif Khousa during talk at Capital Talk Show on 27th November said, 278 people PTI protesters were killed and 1900 received bullet wounds as result of live direct bullets fired on them on 26 November 2024 in Islamabad. To authenticate his claim he disclosed that Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtun Khawa has announced Rs 100 million per person as compensation.

Hospital authorities in Islamabad confirmed only 3 people killed and 40 injured. A thorough investigation reflected lack of evidence concerning mass killings or injuries or even that security forces used Light Machine Gun to kill protesters. It is shameful that if offices representing State can so confidently lie to instigate masses against institution what we can expect from others. General masses and international community is concerned to know the truth but they are doubtful. Post incident scenes near Blue Area and other roads leading to Islamabad reflected if some major disaster or brutal action has was carried out which made everyone to leave their public transport and vehicle and ran away. Deserted vehicles of various types with smashed windscreen and window pans gave a horrifying look. Some of the vehicles and containers were also burnt.

Video clips on social media reflecting firing by light and heavy machine guns and people running away to save their lives gave evidence as if brutal actions were taken. On investigation, it was revealed that no live bullets were fired by the security forces, or the Army. This time too the Army remained neutral in the same manner when military refused to stop protesters from coming to D Chowk, Islamabad and even allowed protesters to occupy Parliament lawns and Constitution Avenue for several days. Evidence of security forces brutality could not be witnessed any where except a video in which a person sitting on the top of container was dragged and purposely thrown down by Rangers personnel. However the exact timing or occasion remained doubtful as well movements and actions of bystanders were suspicious if cooked. The same could be verified from same containers but many were removed and readjusted. However, it requires further confirmation from Rangers getting the view/ investigated.

Large number of people protesting for the release of the PTI leader were arrested in different cities including Islamabad. Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) building in Islamabad was declared as a sub-jail and detainees were kept there. There were evidences of arrested kept in other places but it was not officially acknowledged. Hospital in Islamabad confirmed three deaths and 40 injuries while the second hospital denied that any case was reported to them or they may have a avoided to furnish information. There were two bodies those might have been seriously injured who appeared to have run over by speedy vehicles near the overhead bridge leading to Blue Area, Islamabad.

As per confirmed reports the protesters were fed up from not making progress in occupying D Chowk and the Parliament building. At many occasions they insulted their leadership and blamed them trying to run away. They were adamant that leaders should not be allowed to sit inside their vehicles and forced them to come out and bear tear gas shelling. The leadership got divided into three groups, each refusing to listen to each other. However, ordinary rouge protesters took leadership in their own hands and stared insulting leadership for cowardice. In the end protesters got out of control and started smashing all the vehicles breaking their windscreens and pulling people out. Meantime some protesters also opened fire and make everyone run away. Leaders and protesters reversed their vehicle and defying one-way near the overhead bridge and Metro station fled away. In the state of uncertainty, all the protesters also ran away leaving their vehicles behind abandoned.

It was good show from the security forces that they did not allow anyone to take writ of state in their hands and resolved the security threats. Doubts are been created by included those deaths in the hospitals same day which were not linked with the protest. Whatever the case may be the loss of lives should not be taken easy and must be investigated and those behind including some officials need to be punished. There are rumors of Governor rule and banning of PTI, however the same is not feasible and constitutionally sustainable. There is need to formulate clear polices and new law to avoid such happenings in the future.