Online Desk: There was no direct clash between the Pakistan Army and the mob when the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf protesters marched to Islamabad for former prime minister Imran Khan’s release, the interior minister has clarified. “The PTI’s social media campaign is fostering unrest and division in Pakistan,” it said in a detailed notification on Sunday. “Relevant laws will be used to hold accountable those elements, both domestically and abroad.”
Thousands of PTI supporters marched on November 24 from different cities to Islamabad for Khan’s “final call” to “ensure the release of party members and restoration of democracy.” But the protest was called off on the third day.
They managed to reach the federal capital despite roadblocks and disruptions to the internet and cellular services.
At least six people, including a police officer and three Rangers officials, lost their lives during three days of protests, as reported by officials and hospital sources. It was the third time that time that the party called off its protest after reaching its desired destination.The interior ministry stated that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had used the provincial assembly to make “baseless and inflammatory statements” against institutions.
On November 21, the Islamabad High Court directed the federal government to maintain law and order “at all costs” and instructed Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to communicate with the PTI leadership regarding peace and order.
In light of the visit of the Belarusian president and a Chinese delegation, it added that the PTI was repeatedly asked to postpone its protests. When Khan’s party insisted on continuing their demonstrations, they were offered the location of Sangjani. “Despite exceptional concessions, including meetings with the founder of PTI, the party violated court orders.”The notification alleged that there was a “nefarious attempt” to attribute alleged fatalities to law enforcement agencies through propaganda.
The administration of major hospitals in the federal capital has denied any reports of deaths, it said and highlighted that old and AI-generated fake clips were used during the fabricated social media campaign. “Unfortunately, some elements of foreign media have also fallen victim to this propaganda.”
