Deputy PM Dar dismisses PTI claims of deaths during protest

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday strongly refuted allegations of state brutality and indiscriminate firing by law enforcement authorities during recent clashes with protestors.

In a statement issued by the Deputy Prime Minister Office, Ishaq Dar labeled the claims of gunshot wounds and unwarranted violence as “malicious” and “absolutely false,” urging to provide evidence such as “graves and dead bodies” to substantiate the accusations.

He said the so-called protestors came armed with heavy ammunition and tear gas canisters.

“The mob was determined to create chaos and ready to kill. Our security and law enforcement agencies exercised maximum restraint with patience despite deaths within their ranks,” he said adding that the PTI leaders abandoned their workers and were now developing a ridiculous and lies-based narrative of state brutality.

The statement came after PTI made several claims that their workers were shot dead during Islamabad protest.

Also read: PTI founder, key leaders face charges over Islamabad protest

PTI initiated its march towards Islamabad on November 24, following a final call from its founder. The government had set up roadblocks in an attempt to prevent the protesters, but they managed to break through and reached the Blue Area.

Last night, law enforcement agencies launched a major operation to disperse the protesters.

Police and Rangers successfully cleared Blue Area of PTI demonstrators, and by the end of the operation, the protesters began returning to their homes.