Islamabad, December 1, 2024 Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has accused Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Murad Saeed of orchestrating violent protests in Islamabad, allegedly leading armed Afghan nationals and other agitators while hiding in the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Tarar claimed that the protests were a deliberate attempt to disrupt peace and create chaos. He alleged that the PTI leadership was using social and mainstream media to spread a “false narrative” about the events, aiming to cover up its political failures. He accused Saeed of leading a group of armed individuals, including Afghan nationals trained in weaponry. Security forces, he revealed, had confiscated 45 firearms from the protesters, whom he described as “criminals masquerading as demonstrators.”
Tarar dismissed reports of violence and casualties attributed to security forces as baseless, asserting that hospital records confirmed no deaths caused by law enforcement. He argued that these claims were part of a broader disinformation campaign to undermine the state’s credibility.
The minister also highlighted the significant financial impact of the protests, estimating damages at Rs. 192 billion. He criticized the use of taxpayer funds by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to support what he called unlawful protests. He further questioned the timing of the demonstrations, pointing out their occurrence during a visit by the President of Belarus, which he suggested was a calculated effort to embarrass the government on an international stage.
Interior Secretary Khurram Ali Agha, also present at the press conference, rejected allegations that law enforcement had opened fire on protesters. He stated that the security forces exercised considerable restraint despite violent provocations and significant damage to public property. Agha clarified that gunfire during the protests came from the demonstrators themselves and emphasized that the military was deployed only in the Red Zone to maintain order.
Tarar expressed gratitude to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for largely rejecting the protest call, estimating the turnout at only 2,000 to 2,500 participants. He proposed forming a Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) task force to investigate and address false narratives, ensuring accountability for those spreading misinformation.
While dismissing speculation about the imposition of Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Tarar reaffirmed the government’s commitment to upholding law and order. He concluded by emphasizing the importance of truth and accountability in countering disinformation, reiterating that the state remains steadfast in maintaining order and addressing political challenges.
