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Profit KP GOVT’S RESOURCES MISUSED IN PTI’S VIOLENT PROTESTS, SAYS INTERIOR MINISTRY Monday, 2 December, 2024 I | 29 Jamadi ul Awwal, 1446
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 146 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
PROTESTS INVOLVED TRAINED MISCREANTS g CLAIMS LEAS PERSONNEL NEITHER GIVEN g MINISTRY CLAIMS PTI’S PROTESTS AND ILLEGAL AFGHANS UNDER LEADERSHIP LIVE AMMUNITION, NOR PERMITTED TO RESULTED IN AN ESTIMATED RS192B OF MURAD SAEED: SPOKESPERSON USE WEAPONS TO DISPERSE CROWDS IN DAILY LOSSES TO ECONOMY
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PTI’s Murad Saeed led armed protesters, hiding in CM House Peshawar: Tarar
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
HE Interior Ministry has claimed that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government’s resources were used indiscriminately during the protests that took place in Islamabad, following a call for demonstrations by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). A spokesperson for the ministry stated that the protests involved trained miscreants and Afghan nationals unlawfully staying in the country, including 1,500 absconders and miscreants, under the leadership of Murad Saeed, who it stated was a proclaimed offender. He said that during the violent protests, law enforcement agencies, including police and Rangers, refrained from using live ammunition to disperse the crowds. “Furthermore, the military was not deployed to manage the violence, with its presence limited to securing key installations,” the ministry added. The spokesperson claimed that armed guards accompanying PTI leadership and armed protesters opened indiscriminate fire, which escalated the violence. PTI leadership, according to the ministry, opted to flee rather than address the situation at hand. In response to the allegations circulating on social media, the ministry stated that PTI had launched a concerted propaganda effort, falsely accusing law enforcement agencies of causing deaths during the protests. However, hospital administrations in Islamabad have denied these reports, with the ministry highlighting that old and AI-generated false
ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
videos were being used in the propaganda. The ministry further noted that PTI’s protests had resulted in an estimated 192 billion rupees in daily losses to the country’s economy. It condemned the actions of PTI and its social media operatives, stating that those behind the “creation and spread of fake news and divisive narratives would be held accountable under relevant laws.” The statement also highlighted that the people of Pakistan, including the citizens of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, strongly reject the violent and extremist tactics used by PTI in its political protests, reaffirming their commitment to peace and stability. Moreover, a press release by the ministry addressed the events of November 26, when protesters breached the Red Zone, defying
orders from the Islamabad High Court. “Violent clashes ensued, with protesters using firearms, tear gas, stun grenades, steel sling shots, and nail-studded batons against law enforcement agencies. Additionally, 39 lethal weapons, including 18 automatic weapons, were recovered from the protesters, with several of the apprehended offenders identified as foreign nationals.” As for the material damages, the ministry estimated the losses to be in the hundreds of millions, with at least 11 law enforcement vehicles, including prison vans, being damaged or set on fire during the protests. Earlier, on November 22, the Interior Ministry had sent a letter to KP’s Chief Secretary, instructing that no state resources or finances be used to support PTI’s protest ac-
tion and resultantly killed five khwarij, while nine khwarij got injured,” said an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release. However, during the operation, Sepoy Iftikhar Hussain (Age: 29 years, resident of: District Jhang), having fought gallantly, embraced shahadat. “In another operation conducted in general area Shagai, Khyber District, three Khwarij were sent to hell, while two were apprehended by the security forces,” it further said. During an intense fire exchange, Captain Muhammad Zohaib Ud Din (Age: 25 years, resident of: District Lahore), who was leading his troops from the front, fought bravely, paid
the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat. These khwarij were involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces as well as innocent civilians. “Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other kharji found in the area as security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” the ISPR news release said. President, PM commend security forces for twin operations President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Min-
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Sunday accused the Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf of attempts to disrupt the peace of Islamabad, asserting that Murad Saeed, the absconding member of PTI, was masterminding these disturbances. “Murad Saeed hiding in the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar, had led a group of armed Afghan nationals and troublemakers during recent protests in the capital”, Atta Tarar claimed while addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Sunday. Tarar stressed that there has been a concerted effort to create a false narrative around the protests, particularly on media and social media platforms. He explained that the protests were staged to mask their failure, and the public deserved to know the truth about the situation. The information minister criticised the involvement of trained criminals and Afghan nationals in these protests, noting that many participants were well-versed in using weapons. He pointed out that this time, the protests were fueled by what he called the “final call,”
tivities. The KP government had also been advised to ensure that its machinery, equipment, and personnel were not involved in
aiming to create chaos and unrest. He questioned the timing of the protests, suggesting they were strategically planned during the visit of a foreign dignitary. Tarar further clarified that intelligence reports had indicated that attempts would be made to provoke violence and casualties. He stated that if provincial governments were allocated resources from taxpayer funds, they should not be used for organising unlawful protests. Addressing the situation in the context of international diplomacy, he stated that during the protests, a high-level meeting had just concluded with the President of Belarus, and the claims of a shooting by security forces were unsubstantiated. He said that no evidence of firing from law enforcement agencies had been found, and hospital press releases also clarified that no deaths were caused by security personnel. The information Minister also claimed that 37 Afghan nationals were involved in the protests, no civilised society would allow protesters to carry firearms, and stated that the protesters were criminals using the guise of demonstrations to shelter from the law.
any political activity, as per the guidelines provided by the ministry and the Establishment Division.
Two soldiers martyred, eight Khwarij terrorists killed in two KP’s IBOs RAWALPINDI
STAFF REPORT
An Army captain and a soldier were martyred and eight Khwarij terrorists were killed and nine others injured in two separate intelligence-based operations conducted in different areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from November 29 to December 1. “An intelligence-based operation was conducted in general area Baka Khel, Bannu District on the reported presence of khwarij. During the conduct of the operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij loca-
PM, Corps Commander attend funeral for martyred Capt Zohaib
LAHORE: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Corps Commander Lahore Lieutenant General Syed Amir Raza, senior civil and military officers participated in the funeral prayer of Capt Muhammad Zohaibuddin Shaheed offered here on Sunday. Later, he was laid to rest in a local graveyard with military protocol. The Prime Minister met with the family of martyred Captain Zohaib and expressed his condolences and paid tribute to the martyr, noting that Shaheed Captain Zohaib fought against terrorists very bravely. “The entire nation is proud of the martyred captain and we salute the martyred Captain,” the Prime Minister declared. Earlier, the funeral prayers of Captain Muhammad Zohaib Uddin Shaheed, age 26, resident of district Lahore and Sepoy Iftikhar Hussain Shaheed, age 29, resident of district Jhang who embraced martyrdom while fighting valiantly against Khwarij terrorists in Bannu and Khyber districts were offered on Sunday at Peshawar and Bannu Garrisons respectively. STAFF REPORT
ister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday praised the security forces for their successful operations in Bannu and Khyber districts. They commended their bravery for eliminating eight Khawarij terrorists and arresting eleven others injured in two separate operations. The president and prime minister paid tributes to Shaheed Captain Muhammad Zohaibuddin and soldier Iftikhar Hussain, who were martyred during the operations, and acknowledged their sacrifices, President Secretariat Press Wing and PM Office Media Wing, in separate press releases said.
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Four Khawarij killed as police thwart attack on Mianwali police station
LAHORE/MIAWALI: Punjab Police on Sunday killed four Khawarij terrorists and thwarted an intense attack of Khawarij terrorists targeting the Chapri police station in Mianwali’s Isa Khel area near inter-provincial border with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The police spokesperson confirmed that over 20 terrorists launched a well-coordinated assault using heavy weaponry, including rocket launchers and hand grenades, causing a fierce exchange of gunfire with the police. The police successfully foiled the attack, killing four terrorists in the process. Despite the heavy firepower of the assailants, the brave officers managed to repel the Khwarij, ensuring the safety of the entire station staff. However, two police personnel sustained minor injuries during the confrontation. The police spokesperson confirmed that the entire team at the Chapri Police Station is safe, and the situation is now under control, adding that the militants were neutralised due to the swift and coordinated response of police personnel. STAFF REPORT
ASI martyred, 3 policemen injured in DI Khan terrorist attacks
DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Assistant SubInspector (ASI) was martyred and three other policemen were wounded in two terrorist attacks on police personnel in separate areas of Dera Ismail Khan on Sunday. According to police, terrorists attacked a police mobile van near Mardan Bridge in the Paharpur Tehsil of Dera Ismail Khan District. The police said that Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Mir Ghulam embraced martyrdom in the attack and two constables – Rauf and Yousuf – sustained bullet injuries. According to initial reports, the assailants were lying in the ambush near Mardan Bridge in the Pirashab area and attacked the police mobile van as soon as they came nearer. The injured were shifted to the Paharpur Tehsil Headquarters Hospital and police were collecting evince of the incident from the crime scene. STAFF REPORT