ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Interior announced on Sunday that the Pakistan Army did not confront Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protesters during the party’s recent demonstration in Islamabad.
The ministry detailed the events surrounding PTI’s November 24 “do-or-die” protest, highlighting government negotiations, alleged social media disinformation, violent clashes, and economic repercussions.
While PTI workers clashed sporadically with police, who used tear gas to disperse them, the party accused security forces of killing several protesters. The government has consistently denied these claims, asserting that no live ammunition was used.
“Law enforcement agencies, including police and Rangers, managed the violent crowd without live ammunition. The army, tasked with safeguarding key sites in the Red Zone, did not engage with the protesters or participate in riot control,” the ministry stated.
The ministry accused armed guards and violent elements among the protesters of indiscriminate firing during the chaos, claiming PTI leadership fled the scene instead of controlling the crowd.
Background of the Protests
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) had directed the federal government on November 21 to ensure law and order in the capital. In light of high-profile visits by foreign dignitaries, PTI was offered the Sangjani area as a protest site. However, protesters defied these arrangements and moved unlawfully toward Islamabad’s Red Zone.
During their march, PTI workers allegedly used weapons such as steel slingshots, stun grenades, and nail-studded batons to force their way past security barricades. According to the ministry, the protest was financially supported by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government and included trained miscreants, including illegal Afghan nationals.
The statement further accused PTI leader Murad Saeed of orchestrating a group of 1,500 hardcore fighters who spearheaded the violence. Despite sustaining injuries, law enforcement personnel reportedly exhibited restraint.
Casualties and Damages
The ministry reported significant casualties among security forces, including the deaths of three Rangers personnel and one policeman, while 232 law enforcement officers were injured. Protesters allegedly set vehicles ablaze, damaged property, and created fear among citizens.
In contrast, PTI claimed that hundreds of its supporters were injured or killed during clashes, a claim refuted by hospital reports and government officials.
Economic and Material Losses
The protests caused material damage and economic losses estimated at hundreds of millions of rupees daily, with Rs192 billion in indirect losses. The ministry also cited recovery of 39 lethal weapons, including automatic firearms, from protesters, along with the arrest of several foreign nationals.
Propaganda Allegations
The ministry accused PTI of spreading disinformation through a coordinated social media campaign using fabricated and AI-generated content to claim mass casualties. It criticized foreign media for amplifying unverified claims.
The Interior Ministry emphasized that law enforcement personnel sacrificed their safety to protect citizens and pledged accountability for those inciting division and spreading fake news.
Public Response and Conclusion
The statement concluded by asserting that the people of Pakistan, including those in KP, rejected violent politics and divisive propaganda. It reiterated the nation’s commitment to peace and stability, criticizing PTI’s leadership for inciting unrest.
The PTI maintained its stance, claiming widespread arrests and casualties among its workers, insisting the protest aimed to secure the release of party leader Imran Khan, who remains imprisoned.
