ISLAMABAD: The federal government reaffirmed on Thursday that security forces did not fire on participants of the recent PTI protests in the capital. The clarification came during a joint press conference by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.
Ahsan Iqbal stated that PTI Chairman Imran Khan is not a political prisoner but faces severe criminal charges. “In any democratic system, no leader would be allowed to evade accountability for such actions,” he said, adding that Khan is accused of corruption and inciting violence, including urging attacks on sensitive installations.
Highlighting the May 9 riots, Mr. Iqbal emphasized that no democracy tolerates attacks on military or state institutions under the guise of freedom of expression. He accused PTI of using its workers as political pawns, pointing to its history of orchestrating violence.
Attaullah Tarar dismissed PTI’s claims of casualties during the operation, citing statements from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Polyclinic hospitals, which denied receiving any bodies or gunshot victims. The Ministry of National Health Services also rejected claims that protesters had been killed by security forces, labeling a circulating list of alleged deaths as fake.
The government alleged that PTI protesters were armed with advanced weaponry, aiming to breach the red zone and disrupt order in the capital. Tarar stated that the security forces acted to protect Islamabad’s sanctity and stressed that the government had no involvement in Mr. Khan’s ongoing legal cases.
Comparing the response to recent racial riots in the UK, Ahsan Iqbal highlighted the swift action taken by British authorities, urging the international community to see Imran Khan’s prosecution as a matter of justice rather than political victimization.
The ministers accused PTI of attempting to replicate its 2014 tactics, where its supporters stormed the red zone, occupied Parliament House, and attacked the PTV headquarters. They alleged that the party has a pattern of inciting violence, often using provincial resources from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for protests and long marches.
Mr. Tarar also informed that the Islamabad High Court had prohibited protests in the capital, yet PTI ignored the orders. The government had offered a designated protest site in Sangjani to allow peaceful demonstrations, but the proposal was rejected.
The ministers further revealed recent footage showing protesters equipped with weapons, tear gas shells, and pellet guns, undermining claims of a peaceful march.
