ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Interior has issued a detailed statement clarifying that there was no confrontation between the Pakistan Army and protesters during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) November 24 march to Islamabad.
The statement, released in response to the violence that unfolded, sheds light on the developments surrounding the protest and the role of PTI’s leadership in inciting unrest.
According to the Ministry, discussions with PTI leadership took place before the march, which was organised following an order from the Islamabad High Court (IHC). However, the protest quickly escalated into violence, with trained miscreants and illegal Afghan nationals allegedly involved. The Ministry stated that around 1,500 hardline individuals, led by fugitive Murad Saeed, engaged in militant-like tactics, using resources from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government to attack law enforcement agencies (LEAs).
The statement also revealed that the violent protestors breached the Red Zone in Islamabad, an area heavily guarded due to the presence of foreign delegations. Despite the serious injuries sustained by LEA personnel, the Ministry emphasised that they showed remarkable restraint in dealing with the protesters. The violence reportedly included the use of firearms, slingshots, stun grenades, and other weapons.
The Ministry criticised PTI’s leader Murad Saeed for leading the group of militants and accused him of orchestrating the violence with the backing of the KP government. “This vanguard group violently attacked LEAs and breached security blocks with the help of government machinery, paving the way for a second wave of protestors,” the statement read.
Furthermore, the Ministry responded to accusations from PTI’s social media outlets that LEA forces had caused fatalities. It labeled these claims as “fake propaganda” designed to divert attention from the party’s violent actions. It also accused PTI of distorting facts and spreading false narratives to shift blame onto the authorities.
The Ministry reiterated that PTI had been offered an alternative location for the rally in Sangjani, in line with the court’s instructions, and even offered opportunities for PTI’s imprisoned founder, Imran Khan, to meet with his supporters. Despite these concessions, PTI leaders chose to breach the court order and head towards the Red Zone.
As the protest march continued from Peshawar to Islamabad, the Interior Ministry noted that PTI protestors aggressively clashed with LEAs, using various weapons to force their way through security measures. The Ministry pointed out that the violence was not only coordinated but also financially supported by the resources of the KP government.
The protest concluded on November 28 after a late-night operation by government forces against the remaining demonstrators. The statement concludes with the Ministry’s call for accountability, stressing that the situation required swift action to protect the rule of law and national security.
