PTI leader Raoof Hasan gets injured in knife attack

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central Information Secretary, Raoof Hasan, was injured in a knife attack by unidentified assailants, ARY News reported on Tuesday, quoting police.

Sources told ARY News that unidentified assailants – who were apparently transgender persons – attacked PTI spokesperson with knife outside a private news channel office in Islamabad, leaving him injured.

Sources told ARY News that the PTI leader was leaving the premises of the private news channel after he finished recording a segment.

The assailants used a sharp blade to target the PTI leader, inflicting injuries on his face. Following the attack, the perpetrators managed to flee the scene.

“Extremely shameful and deplorable,” PTI said in a statement on X, noting: “Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan attacked by unknown persons outside the office of a private channel.”

The party also shared a video footage, showing Hasan bleeding from the face with anchor Shahid Masood with him.

نہایت شرمناک اور قابلِ مذمت!!

مرکزی سیکرٹری اطلاعات رؤف حسن پر نجی چینل کے دفتر کے باہر نا معلوم افراد کا حملہ pic.twitter.com/7d0Qrz3tI7

— PTI (@PTIofficial) May 21, 2024

“Such shameful tactics will not deter Raoof Hasan or the PTI from our cause. Attempts to intimidate or silence us will only strengthen our resolve to fight for a just and equitable society,” the party said.

In a statement, the Islamabad police spokesperson confirmed the development and said: “Hasan was attacked on the face with a blade by transgenders according to eyewitnesses”.

It added that the police were present on the spot and collecting evidence. “Strict action will be taken against the transgenders who have done this,” it said.

PTI stages walkout

Senator Shibli Faraz, Opposition Leader in Upper House of Parliament, raised the incident in the Senate, calling the incident “unacceptable.” “The spokesperson for the largest party of Pakistan has been attacked. This is shameful and unacceptable,” he added.

Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar responded, stating, “The opposition leader has just shared this matter. Who attacked, where the attack occurred – these issues will be examined as per law. Raoof Hasan should file a report, and action will be taken according to the law.”

He also assured that he would inform the house after obtaining a report from the IG Islamabad or the relevant officials.

Meanwhile, PTI senators staged a walkout from the Senate session today, protesting the attack on their party’s spokesperson and demanding action against those responsible for the attack.

Later, Faraz castigated the treasury benches for not condemning the incident, saying that it was “no small matter” and held great symbolic value.

He also called for a complete investigation within 24 hours, demanding the government to table inquiry report in tomorrow’s Senate session as well as a briefing from the interior minister on the culprits and their arrests.