Murad Saeed
ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government spokesperson, Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif, dismissed the federal government’s claims on Sunday that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Murad Saeed was hiding in the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar.
Speaking during the program Naya Pakistan, Barrister Saif questioned the credibility of the allegations, stating, “If they had seen Murad Saeed, they would have arrested him.” He further suggested that the government’s assertions were baseless, adding, “I think Murad Saeed was not there.”
Barrister Saif defended PTI protesters, claiming they were unarmed and alleging that law enforcement officials had opened fire on them during the recent Islamabad protests.
He accused the government of misleading the public and reiterated that PTI founder Imran Khan had instructed the party to stage protests in Sangjani, a locality in Islamabad, not elsewhere.
The spokesperson’s comments came after Information Minister Attaullah Tarar accused Murad Saeed of being harbored in the PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province’s Chief Minister’s House.
During a press conference earlier, Tarar alleged that Saeed, who had reportedly gone into hiding following the May 9 riots, was seen leading armed protesters. The minister also claimed that weapons, including guns, shells, and marbles, were recovered from protesters after their arrests.
The PTI march on Islamabad, organized under Imran Khan’s “final call” for a protest, faced significant backlash for violating the Islamabad High Court’s ban on demonstrations in the federal capital under the newly enacted peaceful assembly law.
The three-day protest saw intense clashes between law enforcement agencies and PTI supporters. While the PTI reported the deaths of 12 of its workers and supporters, the government confirmed the martyrdom of five security personnel, including Rangers and police officers.
Minister Tarar challenged PTI’s narrative, urging the party to produce evidence proving that law enforcement agencies used live ammunition against protesters.
He played video clips during his press conference showing PTI protesters allegedly firing at police and using marbles and shells as weapons. Tarar categorically denied the “straight firing” allegations circulating on social media, accusing PTI of fabricating fake videos and images to cover its failure.
He further alleged that PTI brought professional criminals and Afghan nationals to the protests to provoke violence, aiming to create chaos in the capital.
Tarar clarified that no law enforcement personnel were permitted to use live ammunition and cited press releases from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Poly Clinic, which refuted claims of gunshot-related deaths.
The minister accused PTI of orchestrating violent demonstrations to coincide with important international events, citing protests during the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Pakistan.
He emphasized that the state would not tolerate such disruptions and would ensure law and order at all costs to protect public safety. “The purpose of their protest is to create unrest, derail peace, and sabotage the economy,” Tarar concluded, reiterating the government’s commitment to maintaining the writ of the state.
I am a dynamic professional, specializing in Peace and Conflict Studies, Conflict Management and Resolution, and International Relations. My expertise is particularly focused on South Asian Conflicts and the intricacies of the Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific Politics. With my skills as a Content Writer, I serve as a bridge between academia and the public, translating complex global issues into accessible narratives. My passion for fostering understanding and cooperation on the national and international stage drives me to make meaningful contributions to peace and global discourse.
