Marchers’ Casualties: Central Dispute Between Govt and PTI

Casualties Among PTI Marchers Spark Heated Debate Between Government and Opposition

ISLAMABAD: A fierce debate has erupted between the government and PTI over alleged casualties among marchers following law enforcement actions, with both sides presenting conflicting accounts.

PTI leaders, after retreating from Islamabad’s Blue Area on Tuesday night, claimed that several supporters had died due to alleged firing by security forces. Party insiders reported at least six casualties, while PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja suggested the number could be as high as 20 in a video statement. Social media further fueled the controversy, with unverified claims amplified by figures like Sardar Latif Khosa, indicating even higher death tolls.

In response, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi dismissed these allegations, insisting there were no casualties resulting from the law enforcement measures used to disperse the marchers. The government also maintained that no security personnel carried live ammunition during the operation, making civilian deaths improbable.

Unusually, health authorities have yet to release official figures regarding fatalities or injuries. Typically, hospitals in Islamabad provide verified lists during such incidents, but this time, they have refrained from sharing any information. Journalists and social media users have been left relying on unconfirmed and anonymous sources, further complicating the issue.

When pressed for evidence, Information Minister Ata Tarar repeatedly asked, “Where is the proof?” Hospital officials, who are generally forthcoming, have avoided commenting on record, leaving the situation shrouded in uncertainty.

Adding to the confusion, a supposed list from Islamabad’s Polyclinic Hospital circulated online, alleging two deaths and multiple injuries. This list, while picked up by some journalists, remains unverified, contributing to the spread of misinformation.

The lack of clear information has allowed rumors to proliferate on social and mainstream media, further polarizing an already contentious political climate. Both sides continue to use the issue to challenge each other’s credibility, with no resolution in sight.

Hospital Denies Circulation of Fake Casualty Lists, PTI Claims Persist

On Wednesday morning, a hospital in Islamabad issued a clarification denying the authenticity of casualty lists attributed to it and circulating on social media. The statement categorically stated that no such lists had been released by the hospital, labeling the reports as fabricated.

A senior doctor in the capital, speaking to Wiki’s How on condition of anonymity, expressed disappointment over the health ministry’s lack of transparency regarding casualties from the protest. The doctor recalled that in past incidents, such as attacks on high-profile locations, plane crashes, or even during the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals consistently shared detailed information. Information centers were set up to provide updates, including the names and ages of victims, and hospital heads regularly held press briefings to disclose casualty figures.

In this case, however, the health ministry has not followed the same protocol. A ministry official, also speaking anonymously, claimed to be unaware of who was responsible for disseminating such details. He noted that while the interior minister had addressed the issue in press conferences, no specific data regarding casualties had been shared.

PTI Claims and Funerals

Meanwhile, PTI leader Salman Akram Raja refuted the government’s claim of zero casualties during law enforcement actions against party marchers. In a video message released Wednesday, he listed six alleged victims: Muhammad Ilyas, Anees Satti, Malik Safdar Ali, Mubeen Aurangzeb, Abdul Rasheed, and Ahmad Wali. He promised to provide additional details about other party workers in the future and accused the government of instructing hospitals to destroy records of reported deaths and injuries.

Reports indicated that at least four individuals said to have died during the protest were buried in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday. Among them, Mubeen Aurangzeb, named by Salman Akram Raja, was interred in his native village of Jandar Bari in Abbottabad. Another victim, identified as Qadir, a father of seven and daily wage laborer, was laid to rest in Soban Gali, UC Sherwan.

Locals reported that both individuals died from bullet wounds and that no postmortems were conducted. However, no senior PTI leaders attended the funerals in Abbottabad, a point noted by residents. Another victim, Tariq Khan, was buried in Shangla’s Martung tehsil. He reportedly died after being run over by a vehicle.

Funeral prayers for the deceased were attended by large numbers of locals, with coffins draped in PTI flags, further highlighting the emotional and political weight of the incident.

PTI Worker Sardar Ali Laid to Rest in Mardan Amid Uncertainty Over Identity Claims

In Mardan, PTI worker Sardar Ali was laid to rest in his native graveyard in the Babaini area. However, questions remain about his identification, as PTI leader Salman Akram Raja previously mentioned a Malik Safdar Ali among those killed during the crackdown on protesters. It was unclear whether the two names referred to the same individual.

Contributors to This Report

This report includes contributions from Mansoor Malik in Lahore, Rashid Javed in Abbottabad, Umar Bacha in Shangla, and Jamal Hoti in Mardan.

Published in Wiki’s How, November 29, 2024.