PTI Leader Claims 20 Party Workers Killed During Islamabad Protests, Accuses Authorities of Covering Up Deaths

Islamabad:In a dramatic statement, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja claimed that at least 20 PTI workers were killed during the Islamabad protests, alleging that they were targeted with direct gunfire and shelling by security forces. Raja provided details for eight of the deceased workers, asserting that their full records will be shared with the media shortly.

Raja accused authorities of attempting to cover up the deaths, saying, “Hospitals in Islamabad have been instructed not to provide records of the victims to their families. After the killings, a deliberate attempt is being made to distort the facts.” He described the incident as “the darkest tragedy in our history,” highlighting that children, women, and other protesters were shot at directly and hit with shells.

The PTI leader also rejected official claims that no casualties occurred during the protests. “They are lying,” Raja said. “We have evidence, and we have witnesses. The facts cannot be hidden.” He vowed to pursue legal action, including filing a case against the government and the Minister of Interior for the use of force against unarmed civilians.

Raja further criticized the government’s actions, stating that on November 24, PTI workers faced severe obstacles in Lahore, where police forces reportedly used batons to disperse gatherings and blocked all major routes. “The entire city of Lahore was turned into a prison. We are a political party, not a mob,” he added, pointing out that PTI was being unfairly demonized by the ruling authorities.

Despite the challenges, Raja reaffirmed that PTI’s struggle would continue. “We will not stay silent,” he declared. “We will return with even more determination and fury until our leaders are freed.”