Federal Minister Atta Tarar Slams PTI for Propaganda and Escaping Responsibility

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Atta Ullah Tarar, has strongly criticized Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its leadership for spreading false claims about deaths during recent protests and for fleeing the scene out of fear of arrests.
In a press conference in Islamabad, Tarar alleged that former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, came with the intent to instigate violence. He further claimed that the PTI leaders fled as soon as they sensed the possibility of arrests. “Bushra Bibi came with the intention of shedding blood, but they ran away out of fear of capture,” Tarar said.
The minister described the protesters as being heavily armed and equipped with modern weapons, including guns designed to fire tear gas, which they allegedly used against police officers. He condemned the use of violence, including stone-throwing and the deployment of slingshots during the protests. According to Tarar, PTI is now resorting to “politics of corpses” by falsely claiming that people had been killed during the protests. He emphasized that no fatalities had been reported at local hospitals, despite PTI’s claims on social media.
Tarar also pointed out that the PTI was “obsessed with finding bodies,” as they frequently claim that their people have been martyred whenever a death occurs. He mentioned that the government had thoroughly examined the scene, and no evidence of casualties, such as bullet casings or gunfire, was found.
The Information Minister also refuted PTI’s claims regarding the involvement of Afghan nationals in the protests. He revealed that 37 Afghan nationals had been arrested, some of whom had links to criminal activities, including terrorism and robbery. Tarar insisted that PTI was using these individuals as a shield for their political agenda.
In a direct rebuke to PTI’s narrative, Tarar demanded proof of the alleged deaths, such as post-mortem reports. He reminded the media that over 150 police officers were injured, along with 4 rangers and 2 policemen who lost their lives. “If you claim that our people were targeted, then provide proof. You fled the scene and left behind the violence,” Tarar said.
The Information Minister accused PTI of plotting to disrupt peace in the country, including attempts to sabotage the visit of Belarus’s president. He claimed that the violence and disturbances during the protests were part of a calculated effort to destabilize the government and economy. “These incidents were a deliberate attempt to create chaos and harm Pakistan,” he added.
Tarar also criticized PTI leaders like Ali Amin Gandapur, calling him a “coward” who fled the scene of the protests to avoid arrest. He urged Gandapur to “never wear a cap again,” implying that he had abandoned his supporters during a crucial moment.
The federal minister concluded by accusing PTI of spreading lies, hypocrisy, and promoting a politics of violence. “The people of Pakistan have rejected this brand of politics,” he said.