ISLAMABAD: Allegations and counter-allegations over casualties during law enforcement action against PTI protesters have become a focal point of contention between the government and the opposition. While the PTI claims multiple fatalities, the government firmly denies any loss of life.
PTI’s Allegations
Following the retreat of PTI marchers from Islamabad’s Blue Area, the party alleged that several of its supporters had been killed due to law enforcement actions. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja claimed in a video message that around 20 individuals had died, although party sources initially reported six fatalities. Social media and political leaders amplified these claims, further escalating tensions.
Government’s Response
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi categorically rejected the claims, asserting that no lives were lost during the operation. He explained that security personnel did not carry live firearms, making fatalities impossible. The government criticized the circulation of unverified information on social media, calling it a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation.
Lack of Official Data
Unlike past incidents, where hospitals and health authorities provided official lists of casualties, no such data has been released this time. Hospital officials have refrained from commenting, while the government has maintained that there were no deaths. This lack of transparency has fueled speculation, with unverified lists circulating on social media.
PTI’s Claims of Burial
PTI leader Salman Akram Raja shared a list of six alleged victims, claiming that the state had instructed hospitals to destroy records of injuries and deaths. He named individuals such as Muhammad Ilyas, Anees Satti, and Mubeen Aurangzeb, among others, as victims of law enforcement action.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, funerals were held for several individuals allegedly killed during the protests. The coffins of Mubeen Aurangzeb and Qadir, a daily wage worker, were draped in PTI flags during their burial ceremonies. However, no postmortems were conducted on the bodies, and no senior PTI leaders attended the funerals.
Misinformation Challenges
Hospitals, including Islamabad’s Polyclinic, have dismissed reports of fatalities attributed to their facilities. A senior doctor criticized the absence of an official information center to verify casualties, a practice routinely followed in past crises.
Conclusion
The clash between the government and the PTI over alleged casualties continues to create political and social unrest. While the PTI demands accountability, the government insists on addressing the misinformation campaign and maintaining law and order.
