ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s spokesperson, Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif, on Sunday dismissed the federal government’s claim that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Murad Saeed was hiding at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar.
Speaking on Geo News’ program “Naya Pakistan,” Barrister Saif said, “If they had indeed seen Murad Saeed, they would have arrested him.” He further questioned why the government did not arrest Saeed if he was allegedly spotted during the Islamabad protest. “I believe Murad Saeed was not there,” he added.
In response to another question, Barrister Saif claimed that PTI protesters were unarmed and that law enforcement had used direct gunfire against their workers. He argued that the government was misleading the public regarding the situation.
He also reiterated, “PTI’s founder allowed us to hold a protest demonstration in Sangjani, Islamabad,” in reference to the party’s planned activities.
His remarks came hours after Information Minister Attaullah Tarar alleged that Saeed, who had gone into hiding after the May 9 riots, was sheltered at the Chief Minister’s House in the PTI-ruled province.
Earlier in the day, Tarar held a press conference in which he claimed that Saeed was seen leading a group of PTI supporters, some of whom were allegedly armed with guns, shells, and marbles, which were recovered after their arrests.
The PTI had marched on Islamabad last month in response to Imran Khan’s “final call,” despite the Islamabad High Court’s orders barring their protest, which violated the newly enacted peaceful assembly law.
The protests, which lasted three days, saw intense clashes between law enforcement and protesters. At least five security personnel, including three Rangers and two policemen, were martyred in the violence. The PTI, however, claimed that at least 12 of its workers and supporters were killed during the clashes.
Tarar challenged PTI to release video evidence to prove their claims that law enforcement used live ammunition against the protesters. “I have shared video evidence showing how a person from the protest instructed others to open indiscriminate fire on the police. Now, I challenge PTI to show any video of law enforcement firing straight or using live ammunition against the protesters,” he said.
The minister categorically rejected the PTI’s claims of “straight firing,” stating that it was PTI that brought professional criminals and Afghan nationals to the protest, intending to incite bloodshed. He also noted that no law enforcement personnel were allowed to use live ammunition during the protests.
Tarar further referred to press releases from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Poly Clinic, which denied any deaths caused by gunshots during the protests.
He accused PTI of staging violent protests whenever foreign delegations visited Pakistan, citing the recent protests during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, attended by the prime ministers of 12 countries.
“States never bow down before anyone,” Tarar asserted, emphasizing that the government would uphold the rule of law and ensure public safety. He concluded by stating that the purpose of PTI’s protests was to incite violence, disrupt peace, and sabotage the country’s economy.
