Mashal Azam Yousafzai, Special Assistant to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister, has been removed from her position after making remarks during a television interview regarding the events at D-Chowk in Islamabad, where Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters were protesting. The dismissal was formalized through an official notification issued by the Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Saturday.
Context of the Dismissal
Yousafzai’s removal came hours after her public comments about the protest led by PTI, which aimed to secure the release of party founder Imran Khan, who has been in jail for over a year. During the protest on November 26, the decision to redirect demonstrators to D-Chowk instead of Sangjani became a focal point of criticism.
Yousafzai disclosed that Bushra Bibi, the wife of Imran Khan, had been instructed by the party founder to lead the demonstration to D-Chowk. “When directed by the party founder, refusing was not an option,” she said.
Protest and Controversy
The decision to move to D-Chowk sparked chaos. Yousafzai revealed that Bushra Bibi’s vehicle came under attack, with reports of firing and chemical splashes on the windshield, forcing her to switch vehicles. Amid the turmoil, Yousafzai stated that she was separated from Bushra Bibi and was unaware of subsequent developments.
Yousafzai’s account contradicted claims by law enforcement, particularly regarding the alleged use of live ammunition during the operation. She added that Bushra Bibi had received indirect messages suggesting the protest be redirected to Sangjani, which she wanted to verify directly from Imran Khan.
Internal Turmoil within PTI
The aftermath of the protest has intensified internal divisions within PTI, with prominent figures like Salman Akram Raja and Sahibzada Hamid Raza resigning from party roles. Additionally, Bushra Bibi and KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur faced mounting criticism for their decisions during the demonstration.
Yousafzai expressed surprise over how PTI officials, including Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and KP CM’s aide Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, managed to meet Imran Khan at Adiala Jail during this period.
