ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) reiterated its demand for a thorough investigation into the deaths of its supporters during the party’s November 26 protest in Islamabad. Speaking in the National Assembly (NA), MNA Barrister Gohar Ali Khan called on the government to show the “courage to give answers” regarding the alleged deaths of party members.
Opposition Leader’s Call for Judicial Probe
This demand came a day after National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub accused Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of issuing an “order to kill” during the protest. Ayub alleged that security personnel used lethal weapons, including NATO-supplied counterterrorism equipment, to suppress the demonstration.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif responded by refuting the opposition’s claims, criticizing the PTI for “playing the provincial card” and spreading a false narrative. He denied the use of excessive force and dismissed the accusations against the government.
PTI’s Casualty Claims
The PTI officially claimed that 12 of its supporters were killed during the protest, which occurred amid a government crackdown that forced the party’s top leadership to retreat. However, Gohar Ali Khan distanced the party from exaggerated casualty figures circulating on social media, emphasizing the need for an impartial investigation into the deaths.
Call for Investigation and Compensation
Gohar stated that even if bullets were fired during the protest, the government should have the courage to investigate, show remorse, and compensate the victims. He emphasized that the loss of life during protests is a matter of national concern, recalling that “the echo of a bullet is remembered for generations.”
He further criticized Defence Minister Khawaja Asif for dismissing the allegations, asking whether it was fitting for a seasoned parliamentarian to claim that no bullets had been fired. Gohar called for a case to be filed and an investigation to be launched, stressing that the deaths were not just the concern of PTI supporters but of all citizens of Pakistan.
Protest as a Fundamental Right
Highlighting that protesting is a fundamental democratic right, Gohar pointed out that in a democracy, people have the right to protest peacefully in public spaces, including assemblies and government offices. Despite being labeled as miscreants by the government, Gohar noted that PTI had refrained from retaliating with similar accusations against the ruling party, the PML-N.
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He also referenced protests in countries like India, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Canada, and South Korea, where demonstrators stormed government buildings without facing gunfire. He rhetorically asked, “Did anyone fire a bullet at protesters there?” stressing that despite the PTI facing tyranny, its members maintained a relationship of respect.
Shift in PTI’s Approach
In a surprising shift from previous behavior, the opposition PTI members participated quietly in the NA proceedings. Traditionally known for their vocal protests and disruptions, PTI members chose to listen attentively to Defence Minister Asif’s remarks, marking a change in their approach. This quieter response followed a parliamentary party meeting where the PTI had initially planned to lodge a strong protest against the government’s alleged use of brutal force.
The Opposition’s Continued Demand for Justice
Earlier, Opposition Leader Omar Ayub had also demanded that an impartial judicial commission be formed to determine who was responsible for ordering the firing on unarmed protesters. He claimed that 12 PTI supporters had been killed, while more than 200 others were still missing, presumed dead. The PTI continues to push for accountability and justice, demanding a full investigation into the events of the November 26 protest.
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