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Watch: Law enforcement personnel kick PTI supporter down from three-storey container

A video of a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporter being pushed down by security personnel from atop three piled-up containers has gone viral on social media.

PTI official social media accounts shared the video and captioned it: “An innocent, unarmed protester was seen praying on a container when an armed paramilitary officer brutally pushed him off from a height equivalent to three stories. This shocking act of brutality raises profound questions: What did the officer, his superiors in the military, Mohsin Naqvi, and the PML-N hope to achieve through this horrifying display of violence and the countless other lives they have taken from their fellow citizens?”

It was clear from the video that the man tried to hold on to the container, but he was pushed nonetheless and ultimately fell.

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Meanwhile, there is no information and official confirmation on the current status of the man who can be seen falling down.

The video was recorded as PTI marched on the federal capital from November 24 to November 26, leading to violent clashes with law enforcement forces, causing the death of four Pakistan Rangers personnel and speculation of PTI supporters being killed as well.

However, the protest ended late last night after PTI leadership, including Member National Assembly Umar Ayub, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and incarcerated leader Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, left Islamabad.

Earlier, PTI leader Shoukat Yosafzai expressed disappointment with the party leadership over Tuesday’s final call protest as so many people had gone there and were left there by them.

“It was the funeral of political culture in the country,” he said, pointing out that the government handled the protestors brutally. Moreover, he said that there is a need for self-analysis as well. He expressed disappointment over the lack of coordination within the party leadership during recent events, emphasizing missed opportunities for dialogue and poor decision-making. He also said that “no leader came forward except Ali Amin”, stressing that “those holding positions of authority have disappointed us. Ali Amin Gandapur was made a scapegoat, and from Peshawar to Islamabad, no leader was visible.”

November 27, 2024
A helicopter, Bushra Bibi, and two PTI leaders; Ansar Abbasi reveals strange tale of PTI dharna

Half a day after PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur and Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi abruptly disappeared from the protest in Islamabad, the question remains of what actually happened.

Journalist Ansar Abbasi claims to have details of what really happened on Tuesday night.

He has revealed that two Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders were provided helicopters to reach Hassan Abdal to convince former First Lady Bushra Bibi about the cancellation of the protest march towards D Chowk.

The journalist revealed that following a meeting between Chairman PTI Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Advisor of Information and Broadcasting Barrister Saif with party founder Imran Khan, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi provided them with a helicopter to fly to Bushra Bibi and convince her to stop the march.

However, the two leaders were a bit late as the march had already moved to the federal capital.

It merits a mention that on Monday (November 25), the second day of the protest march, at the end of the party founder meeting with Barrister Gohar Khan and Barrister Saif at Adiala Jail Rawalpindi, Khan had agreed not to march on D Chowk and stage the situation in in the Sangjani area.

Party leadership was informed to stage a sit-in at Sangjani until the outcome of the background dialogue between the government and PTI.

Sangjani is in the outskirts of Islamabad, where PTI held its September 8 rally.

Ansar Abbasi stated that CM KP Ali Amin Gandapur and Opposition Leader of the National Assembly Omer Ayub Khan conveyed Imran Khan’s message to Bushra Bibi; however, she remained adamant about marching towards D Chowk.

However, prior to the march towards Islamabad, Ali Amin Gandapur reportedly was not in favour of accompanying party founder Imran Khan’s spouse, Bushra Bibi, towards Islamabad.

Following an argument between Gandapur and Bushra Bibi, she boarded the container from Peshawar.
On November 21, Imran Khan had put demands before the federal government from jail, including his release till Friday (November 22), to postpone his “final call” which the government did not agree to.

Ansar Abbasi furthermore claimed that the Interior Minister approached Ali Amin Gandapur and Omer Ayub Khan regarding the cancellation of the party protest. However, both remained helpless as the party’s central command was in the hands of Imran Khan’s wife.

Mohsin Naqvi said on the same day that the “secret leadership” of the PTI was controlling everything, leaving other party leaders “powerless”.

Speaking to media as PTI convoys continue to advance towards D-Chowk after violent overnight clashes, the interior minister said that party leaders did not want bloodshed, but they were powerless in front of a “secret leadership” that actually had control over the party.

“Even the PTI leadership does not want bloodshed, but the secret leadership’s agenda is not aligned with Pakistan,” Mohsin Naqvi said, adding that a “hidden hand” was involved in the unrest.

“The PTI leadership wanted to engage in dialogue, but the secret leadership did not want it,” he added.

November 27, 2024
‘Disappointing’; PTI leader Shoukat Yousufzai hits out at party leadership

PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai has been actively conducting interviews with channels to express disappointment with the party leadership over Tuesday’s final call protest.

Talking to ARY News, Shaukat Yousafzai confirmed that Bushra Bibi and Chief Minister KP Ali Amin Gandapur are in Mansehra and are safe.

“It was the funeral of political culture in the country,” he said, pointing out that the government handled the protestors brutally. Moreover, he said that there is a need for self-analysis as well. He expressed disappointment over the lack of coordination within the party leadership during recent events, emphasizing missed opportunities for dialogue and poor decision-making. He also said that “no leader came forward except Ali Amin”, stressing that “those holding positions of authority have disappointed us. Ali Amin Gandapur was made a scapegoat, and from Peshawar to Islamabad, no leader was visible.”

He then turned his guns towards the main leaders. “Where were Barrister Gohar and Salman Akram Raja? Sher Afzal Marwat was also absent when the leadership did not have the authority to make decisions; why did it take so many workers?”

Talking about Bushra Bibi’s role, he remarked, “She holds no political position, yet her stance overrules others.” He further questioned the absence of other leaders, asking, “Where was Salman Akram Raja, the General Secretary, during all this?”

In a frustrated tone, he lamented the exclusion of experienced party members from decision-making processes, saying, “Our opinions were ignored. If we are not considered politically relevant, remove us from the party.”

Shaukat Yousafzai further said that it was already known that the government would demonstrate fascism in D Chowk. He demanded an investigation within the party as to why D Chowk was chosen as the target area for a sit-in.

The party’s former General Secretary then appeared on Geo News to raise the question of why, if the federal government had asked for talks, they were not held. “Why were consultations not held on the government’s offer of talks,” he asked in an exasperated tone.

Notably, former party leader Faisal Vawda also held a press conference and called this the “final nail in the coffin of PTI” while warning of tougher times ahead for them and an impending ban on the party.

On November 26, Islamabad Police announced a grand operation against PTI workers, as a result of which PTI leaders and workers, including the wife of PTI founder Bushra Bibi, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, left the federal capital for Mansehra and their press conference is awaited.

November 27, 2024
PTI calls off Islamabad protest

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has called off its Islamabad sit-in for the time being following Tuesday night clashes between demonstrators and security forces.

PTI’s official X (formerly Twitter) account issued a press release on Wednesday morning that reads, “In view of the government’s brutality and the government’s plan to turn the capital into a slaughterhouse for unarmed citizens, [we] announce the suspension of the peaceful protest for the time being.”

On Tuesday night, security forces launched an operation at D Chowk to disperse the protestors.

Reportedly, prior to the operation, markets in all nearby areas were closed, and streetlights were also turned off; the operation was completed within two and a half hours, leading to the arrest of more than 500 protesters from D-Chowk and its nearby areas.

In some videos posted on social media, scenes of D-Chowk after the operation are shown, and dozens of broken windows of vehicles can be seen on the federal capital’s Jinnah Avenue.

PTI, in its statement shared on X, appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Yahya Afridi, to take suo motu notice of the alleged “brutal murder of martyred [party] workers” and order legal action against the prime minister and interior minister as well as Islamabad and Punjab police chiefs for “attempt to murder”.

Two demonstrators were killed and over 60 injured in clashes between security forces and protestors on Tuesday night.

The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) confirmed the civilian death toll.

On the contrary, the PTI, in a statement, claimed that “dozens” of its workers were shot at directly and killed, saying that the party had the details of eight deceased.

Meanwhile, former First Lady Bushra Bibi, Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur and National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan will address an “emergency” press conference today.

November 27, 2024
What was said in ‘strict message’ sent to Imran Khan? Muneeb Farooq has the details

Senior journalist Muneeb Farooq on Monday revealed that a strict message was sent through Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership to incarcerated party founder Imran Khan regarding the party’s ongoing violent protest.

Muneeb Farooq, on his YouTube channel, stated that the party founder had been told to behave or face repercussions for altercations with law enforcement.

On Monday night, Chairman PTI Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, along with former speaker of the National Assembly Asad Qaiser and Shibli Faraz, met the party founder in Adiala Jail Rawalpindi to discuss the next strategy as the protest goes on.

“Don’t listen to Bushra Bibi’s directions [on protest],” the journalist quoted the strict message that had also been conveyed to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders on November 25.

The political analyst further stated that both the establishment and the federal government had refused to accept PTI’s three demands.

PTI demanded the revocation of the recently passed 26th Constitutional Amendment and the release of political prisoners, including Imran Khan, and the restoration of PTI’s electoral mandate.

Last night, Naqvi seemed to confirm talks with the protesting opposition party, saying that the government had offered the Sangjani area for protest; however, reportedly, consensus was not reached between the government and Pakistan’s biggest opposition party.

The Sangjani was the same venue on the outskirts of the federal capital where the PTI held its Sept 8 rally.

Meanwhile, multiple PTI demonstrators have reached Islamabad’s roundabout D Chowk, and it can be seen that party followers are embracing security officials at the top containers of D Chowk in social media posts.

However, the PTI convoy led by Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur and Imran Khan’s spouse Bushra Bibi crossed the federal capital Blue Area and was only a few Kilometers (KM) short of reaching D Chowk.

Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar has said that former First Lady Bushra Bibi was dead set on getting people killed.

Tarar alleged that Bushra Bibi used others’ children as pawns, noting, “There is still time to stop and go back.”

November 26, 2024
CCTV footage debunks claims of Rangers’ vehicle crushing security personnel

The release of a CCTV footage on social media has rubbished earlier claims that four Rangers personnel were crushed by security vehicles amid violent protests by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in and around Islamabad.

The PTI, on founder Imran Khan’s call, has marched on the federal capital in protests that went violent with clashes between party workers and law enforcement personnel. The law and order situation took a turn for the worse as at least four Rangers personnel and two cops were martyred on Tuesday morning at around 3 am.

With law enforcement claiming that the Rangers personnel were crushed by a fast-moving vehicle from one of PTI’s convoys, the party claimed that the vehicle belonged to paramilitary personnel themselves.

Safeer Ali, an eyewitness of the incident and brother of the civilian who was also killed in the incident near Islamabad’s Chongi Number 26, claimed that he looked on as “fleeing police and Rangers deliberately ran people over as they sped away”.

The claim, which went viral after Ali’s interview to senior journalist Matiullah Jan outside Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), was, however, debunked after the release of CCTV footage of the incident.

The CCTV footage showed a Rangers check-post with a group of paramilitary troops standing at ease. In the background, a private vehicle can be seen crushing a separate group of Rangers personnel as it speeds away.

“The video clearly shows that the witness lied about the details of the incident in his interview. He had said that, ‘I was standing there with my brother and PTI supporter who was a former FC [Frontier Constabulary] soldier. Rangers crushed him while fleeing. [The video shows] no witnesses or Rangers fleeing. They are standing at ease,” journalist Waseem Abbasi wrote while sharing the CCTV on his X (formerly Twitter) account.

Meanwhile, the federal government, in wake of violent protests and deaths of security personnel, has deployed army in Islamabad by invoking Article 245 of the Constitution.

A notification issued by the Interior Ministry said that army has been authorised to impose a curfew in any locality deemed necessary to maintain law and order.

Security forces have also reportedly been authorised to shoot miscreants and rioters on sight.

By the time this report was filed, PTI demonstrators had reached their destination, D-Chowk, amid intense tear-gas shelling.

November 26, 2024
VIDEO: Army personnel hug PTI protesters atop containers at D-Chowk

The political situation in Pakistan is becoming tense by the minute as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters have entered Islamabad on former prime minister Imran Khan’s “final call”, meeting heavy resistance from law enforcement along the way.

With violent overnight protests resulting in the deaths of at least six security personnel, including four Rangers, the federal government has deployed army to quash the protests and keep PTI workers from advancing to D-Chowk.

Amid high-running tensions, a video that went viral on X (formerly Twitter), showed PTI protesters climbing on top of containers set up to block access to D-Chowk. With army personnel present on the containers already, they were seen helping and embracing the protesters.

The move was welcomed by authorities and protesters alike. Unconfirmed reports claim that army personnel also made announcements over loudspeakers, urging PTI workers to remain peaceful because the military won’t open fire on its own people.

Earlier in the day, a fast-driving car ran over law enforcement personnel on the federal capital’s Srinagar Highway.

As tensions between law enforcement and protesters ran high, the federal government deployed military in Islamabad by invoking Article 245 of the Constitution.

A notification issued by the Interior Ministry said that army had been authorised to impose a curfew in any locality deemed necessary to maintain law and order.

Reportedly, security forces have also been empowered to shoot miscreants and rioters on sight. Furthermore, a group of armed men reportedly pelted stones and opened fire on security personnel at Chungi No 26 in Rawalpindi, leading to another Rangers official getting injured. He was shifted to hospital in critical condition.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, while talking to the media, said the government had talked and engaged with protesters “in every possible way”.

“They hold talks and then pull out,” the minister claimed, adding that roads were opened so that PTI workers could make their way to Sangjani instead of D-Chowk.

“The PTI leadership wants to hold talks, but a secret hand is controlling the party and it is stronger than all others. They have some other motives,” he said.

Naqvi’s comments came after reports claimed that PTI leadership, including founder Imran Khan, had approved shifting the protest to Sangjani amid violent clashes. The same was disapproved by Khan’s wife and former first lady Bushra Bibi, who said she would continue leading protesters to D-Chowk till she had spoken to her husband herself.

November 26, 2024
‘PTI leaders powerless in front of party’s secret leadership,’ claims Mohsin Naqvi

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi Tuesday said that “secret leadership” of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was controlling everything, leaving other party leaders “powerless”.

Speaking to media as PTI convoys continue to advance towards D-Chowk after violent overnight clashes, the interior minister said that party leaders did not want bloodshed but they were powerless in front of a “secret leadership” that actually had control over the party.

“Even the PTI leadership does not want bloodshed, but the secret leadership’s agenda is not aligned with Pakistan,” Mohsin Naqvi said, adding that a “hidden hand” was involved in the unrest.

“The PTI leadership wanted to engage in dialogue, but the secret leadership did not want it,” he said.

When asked about the number of participants in PTI’s protest rally, the interior minister said that it was difficult to give an exact figure; however, “2,000 of the total number of protesters were trained individuals”.

The interior minister’s presser comes as PTI refuses to participate in talks with the government and protest at D-Chowk till party founder and former prime minister (PM) Imran Khan is released from jail. Violent clashes over the past two days have resulted in injuries to hundreds of protesters and cops alike. At least four Rangers personnel and two cops were also martyred in the clashes Monday night.

Meanwhile, a case against PTI leadership has been registered at a Rawalpindi police station over the death of a police constable near Hakla Interchange.

According to a First Information Report (FIR) filed at Taxila Police Station, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Ali Amin Gandapur, Salar Khan Kakar, Shahid Khattak and others were nominated.

Assaulters, armed with tear gas guns, rubber bullet guns and other weapons violated Section 144 and initiated violent attacks on police officers, the FIR read.

It further stated that the attack was a “deliberate criminal conspiracy orchestrated by the PTI leadership”.

“Suspects abducted Constable Mubashir Hassan in a red van and later dumped him off Hakla Bridge before fleeing,” the FIR added.

November 26, 2024
‘No breakfast, no rest’: Sindh cop deployed at Islamabad

A Sindh police personnel has complained about the inadequacy of food that had been served to provincial police during their deployment at the federal capital amid a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest.

Speaking to a news outlet on Monday night, a Sindh security official said that authorities have not given them time for the proper rest, maintaining that they have been “on duty for two consecutive days.”

“We are tired of doing duty since two days, we have no [additional] salary, [authorities] are not giving us breakfast,” the cop belonging to district Noshehra, Sindh, said.

He further said that due to lack of a timely salary, he has borrowed money from his village, and he is in “debt” now.

He also highlighted that two days ago, 2000 security officials came to the federal capital via train; apart from Karachi cops, other security officials travelled without having a seat, noting that the long expedition was tough as they had to stand throughout their journey.

“Cops belonging to Karachi had a seat; we had to stand by the [train] door,” he complained.

Observing the facilities given by the authorities, he stated that “proper water” was not served to the cops, adding, “We are purchasing tea by ourselves.”

Meanwhile, in a separate development, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf convoy led by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and former First Lady Bushra Bibi has reached Islamabad Zero Point.

It merits mentioning that following the federal capital’s Zero Point area, D Chowk is just a few kilometers away from where PTI is expected to stage a sit-in.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, while speaking to the media at D Chowk on Tuesday, stated that around 2000 people in the PTI convoy were “trained.”

The Interior Minister pointed out that the “secret leadership” of PTI is controlling everything, leaving the rest of the leadership powerless.

“Even the PTI leadership does not want bloodshed, but the secret leadership’s agenda is not aligned with Pakistan,” he concluded.

November 26, 2024
Army deployed in Islamabad after PTI workers martyr four Rangers

Four Rangers personnel and two police officers were killed on Monday night prior to the deployment of the Pakistan Army in the federal capital.

According to Islamabad police, a fast car drove over the cops on the federal capital’s Srinagar Highway.

The federal government has deployed the Army in the federal capital by invoking Article 245 as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) convoy crossed sector G-9.

A notification issued by the Interior Ministry states that the army has been authorised to impose a curfew in any locality deemed necessary to maintain law and order.

Reportedly, security forces have also been empowered to shoot miscreants and rioters on sight.

Furthermore, a group of armed men reportedly pelted stones and opened fire on security personnel at Chungi No 26 in Rawalpindi, leading to another Rangers official getting injured, who was transferred in a critical situation to CMH hospital.

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif condemned the attack on security forces and directed the authorities to bring the culprits to justice.

Shahbaz Sharif maintained that anarchist group seeks bloodshed, observing that this is not a peaceful protest but extremism.

Following the funeral of martyred police Constable Mubashar Bilal in Rawalpindi at Police Line in Rawalpindi, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi revealed that the federal government had offered PTI leadership an alternative to stage their sit-in at Sangjani rather than entering the Islamabad’s red zone.

“They come [to D-chowk], and we let them go; this cannot happen; now, we have shown leniency where necessary, but once the red line is crossed, the government will take extreme steps,” the Interior Minister clarified.

Meanwhile, according to local police, PTI demonstrators have reached Zero Point Islamabad from where the red zone premises start and where the army had already deployed.

Zero Point

The protestors reportedly pelted stones towards security personnel, and police have been shelling to disperse the demonstrators.

Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur and former First Lady Bushra Bibi also accompanied the convoy, which reached Zero Point Islamabad.

November 26, 2024