Sarah Adams, a U.S. author and former CIA analyst, has voiced skepticism regarding the portrayal of recent PTI protests in Pakistan as “peaceful.”
In a tweet, Adams shared her perspective, informed by her experiences in Pakistan, suggesting that these demonstrations are being misrepresented. She warned against what she described as “fake news” and criticized some U.S. Congress members for commenting on the protests without a clear understanding of the ground realities.
Adams highlighted the violence accompanying the demonstrations, mentioning the use of tear gas during protests in Islamabad. Contrary to circulating claims, she asserted that it was protesters, not authorities, deploying tear gas. She also dismissed reports that the Pakistani military had killed 100 protesters in Islamabad as baseless.
Adams further criticized reliance on organizations like Amnesty International for information about the protests, arguing that their narratives can distort perceptions for fundraising purposes. She emphasized that spreading false information undermines the credibility of any cause.
Her tweet has sparked discussions about the protests and the narratives shaping international perceptions. In her statement, Adams remarked:
“I’ve lived in Pakistan and seen these so-called ‘peaceful’ protesters firsthand. Trust me, those of us from Benghazi know a thing or two about the misrepresentation of ‘peaceful protests.’
Don’t fall for the fake news. Even some of our own U.S. Congresspeople are out here commenting on these protests without any actual ground truth.
Here’s a reality check: it’s the protesters firing off tear gas. And no, 100 protesters in Islamabad weren’t shot and killed by the Pakistani military either.
Just because it’s on the internet, and organizations like Amnesty International parrot it for donation dollars, doesn’t mean it’s true. Sharing false information only undermines the legitimacy of your own cause.”
Adams is known for her book Benghazi: Know Thy Enemy. She previously served as an Intelligence Analyst and Targeter with the CIA and as a Senior Advisor to the U.S. House Select Committee on Benghazi. She also co-authored The Benghazi Committee Report, examining the events surrounding the 2012 terrorist attack in Benghazi.
I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.
