Sialkot, November 30, 2024-Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has alleged that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan initially agreed to alter the venue for a protest, but his wife, Bushra Bibi, insisted on marching to D-Chowk, resulting in the subsequent chaos.
Speaking to the media in Sialkot, Asif recounted the events of November 24, when PTI called for a sit-in, leading party workers to breach barricades and converge on Islamabad. The confrontation resulted in the martyrdom of Rangers and police personnel, with hundreds injured.
Asif commended the security forces for thwarting what he described as the “third attack on the federal government” and criticized PTI’s leadership for abandoning the scene when faced with resistance. He labeled the retreat as unprecedented in any movement or struggle, likening it to a lack of resolve.
The minister revealed that the government had offered PTI alternative protest venues, a proposal Imran Khan reportedly accepted. However, Bushra Bibi opposed the change, insisting on proceeding to D-Chowk. According to Asif, her inexperience with large political gatherings led her to express concern, questioning who would follow the change and demanding the march continue to its original destination.
He further claimed that Bushra Bibi eventually fled the scene alongside Khyber Pakhtunkhwa leader Ali Amin Gandapur. Asif mentioned that Gandapur’s vehicle came under attack by protestors throwing bricks as he retreated. The leaders, he added, escaped with great difficulty, later reappearing in Mansehra.
Addressing reports of fatalities during the protests, Asif pointed out inconsistencies in PTI’s claims. He cited Sardar Latif Khosa’s initial report of 278 deaths, which was later revised to single digits. He criticized PTI for failing to provide evidence of mass casualties, noting the absence of funeral footage, family statements, or concrete proof of large-scale killings.
Asif acknowledged injuries among participants but emphasized that no substantial evidence supported claims of significant fatalities.
In other remarks, the defence minister welcomed the resumption of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights to Europe, calling it a positive development that would help the national carrier expand its market presence. He highlighted the importance of this decision for PIA’s privatization efforts, as it enhances the airline’s value and competitiveness in the European market.
