PTI Protest: One Policeman Martyred, 70 Injured, 5 Critical, Says Punjab Government

Lahore: The protest organized by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led to violent clashes, leaving one police officer martyred and 70 others injured, with five in critical condition. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz condemned the attacks on police officers and personnel, emphasizing the use of heavy weaponry by protesters.
In a statement, Maryam Nawaz expressed outrage over the shooting of a police constable and the injuries sustained by over 20 officers, including senior ranks such as SPs and DSPs. She noted that the protesters were seen carrying sophisticated weapons, including short machine guns, tear gas, knives, and masks — some of which are typically in the possession of law enforcement agencies.
“The weapons used by the protesters were similar to those used by the police, and firing incidents were reported from Ghazi Brotha, Mianwali, Hazara Motorway, and other locations,” she said. Maryam also criticized the violent nature of the protests, labeling them an act of “armed terrorism” rather than peaceful demonstrations. She pointed out that the Punjab police had been unarmed to avoid escalation during previous protests, yet they still suffered casualties.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari also strongly condemned the violence. She claimed that PTI’s activists were targeting police officers, setting vehicles on fire, and even using children as shields. Bukhari accused PTI leadership, particularly Bushra Bibi, of inciting violence, suggesting that their actions were aimed at recreating the events of May 9.
“One police officer was martyred, and five others are in critical condition. Around 70 police personnel have been injured, and there have been reports of gunfire in areas like Sargodha and Attock,” she said. Bukhari also emphasized that the protesters were acting in an organized and violent manner, pointing out that the situation had escalated into an attack on the state.
Bukhari added that the protestors, led by PTI figures like Ali Amin Gandapur, had disappeared from the scene while accusing others of carrying out scripted arrests. “It’s clear that the PTI leadership’s narrative has failed. Even with 104 MPs in Punjab, no one showed up to support this so-called peaceful protest,” she concluded.
The violence during the protests has sparked widespread concern, especially in Punjab, where law and order have been severely disrupted. Bukhari emphasized that while protests may be a democratic right, the actions taken by PTI were far beyond the bounds of peaceful assembly. “The incidents of destruction and violence we witnessed were not a part of any democratic protest,” she said.
The situation remains tense as further developments unfold in the ongoing conflict.