Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Murad Saeed of orchestrating recent disturbances in Islamabad and leading a group of armed Afghan nationals during the protests. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad on Sunday, Tarar claimed that Saeed was hiding in the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar and had played a key role in the unrest.
Tarar highlighted attempts to disrupt the peace in Islamabad, asserting that the protests were a staged effort to deflect attention from their failure. He further accused media and social media platforms of spreading a false narrative about the protests, saying that the public deserved to know the truth.
The Information Minister also criticized the involvement of trained criminals and Afghan nationals in the protests, noting that many of the participants were armed and skilled in using weapons. He pointed out that the protests, which he called the “final call,” appeared to be strategically timed to coincide with the visit of a foreign dignitary, potentially to create chaos and unrest.
Intelligence reports, according to Tarar, had indicated that the protesters planned to provoke violence and casualties. He stressed that taxpayer funds should not be used to organize illegal protests, especially when provincial governments receive resources to maintain law and order.
Addressing claims made during the protests, Tarar refuted reports of security forces firing on protesters. He stated that no evidence of such incidents had been found, and hospital reports confirmed that no deaths were caused by law enforcement.
The Minister also claimed that 37 Afghan nationals had participated in the protests and that no civilized society would allow protesters to carry firearms. He revealed that 45 firearms had been seized from the demonstrators, emphasizing that these protests were not genuine but a cover for criminal activities.
Labeling the protests as “illegal” due to the lack of permission from the Islamabad High Court, Tarar accused political leaders of using propaganda to cover up their failures and avoid accountability. He also denounced false claims made by international media regarding alleged killings during the protests, calling them part of a smear campaign.
Tarar emphasized that the state would not bend and would continue to uphold the rule of law. He stated that the protests had caused significant financial damage to the country, estimating losses at Rs 192 billion.
Praising the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for rejecting the call for protests, he noted that only a small number of people, around 2,000-2,500, participated in the demonstrations.
Casualty Claims Part of False Narrative
Interior Secretary Khurram Ali Agha also addressed the press, rejecting allegations that law enforcement had opened fire on protesters. Agha confirmed that security forces had shown restraint, despite the violent actions of PTI supporters who used weapons and damaged public property. He clarified that the military had only been deployed in the Red Zone to maintain order and that no firearm-related deaths had occurred.
Agha attributed any gunshots heard during the protests to the protesters themselves and dismissed the casualty claims as part of a larger false narrative. He assured the public that these misleading claims would be thoroughly investigated.
In light of the ongoing political crisis, Tarar proposed the formation of a task force by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to investigate false claims and hold those responsible for spreading misinformation accountable. He reiterated the government’s commitment to exposing fake news and reaffirmed its dedication to serving the people while maintaining the rule of law.
Tarar concluded by addressing the possibility of Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stressing that as a politician, he did not wish to undermine the people’s mandate, but would continue working to ensure accountability and transparency in the political process.
