PESHAWAR: Members in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Monday criticised the federal government over the use of force against the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf workers during a recent “peaceful” protest at D-Chowk in Islamabad.

During a session chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, the lawmakers accused personnel of the paramilitary Rangers of firing at peaceful PTI workers in Islamabad and expressed outrage at the federal government’s demand for evidence despite funerals already held for 12 PTI workers.

Members of the treasury vowed to continue their struggle for the early release of PTI founder and incarcerated prime minister Imran Khan.

MPA Shafiullah Jan insisted that the peaceful march on Islamabad was targeted with snipers, leaving participants dead.

CM aide alleges federal authorities hid bodies in containers

He said that PTI worker Mohammad Ilyas from his constituency was run over and killed by a Rangers vehicle but his body was delivered to the family 13 hours later.

“Ilyas’s brother Safeer was asked by authorities to sign an affidavit that he has nothing to do with the PTI, but he refused and instead shouted a slogan for [PTI founder] Imran Khan,” he said.

The PTI lawmaker said the protesters didn’t suffer defeat and rather, they’re killed “in the dark.”

“We have learned not to blindly trust anyone because they hug you in the day but kill you at night,” he said.

Mr Jan demanded civilian awards for all those killed during the Islamabad protest.

He criticised ANP president Aimal Wali Khan for supporting a ban on the PTI and said since the ANP couldn’t defeat the PTI in elections, it wanted to drive the rival party out of politics.

The member said that all those party leaders, who didn’t join the march on Islamabad and preferred to stay at the Chief Minister’s House, would be exposed.

Adviser to the chief minister on population Malik Liaquat Ali Khan said the federal government was demanding evidence of Islamabad “killings” ignoring the funerals held for the deceased.

He alleged that federal authorities hid the bodies of protesters in shipping containers placed to block the march.

Opposition members also weighed in.

Riaz Shaheen of the JUI-F condemned paramilitary personnel for “pushing a PTI worker down a shipping container” in Islamabad.

He also resented the Oct 12 “killing of 17 residents, including women and children,” in Kunj Alizai area of Kurram tribal district and warned the government of a strong reaction to the violence.

The lawmaker also complained that a convoy of one group came under attack leading to the death of 43 people on Nov 21 that was retaliated a day later.

“I condemn both attacks,” he said.

Mr Shaheen, however, said the current Kurram ceasefire was meant to prepare for “another war.” He criticised the state institutions and both federal and provincial governments over failure to protect public life and property and wondered if an operation could be carried out against the Taliban, why that couldn’t happen against armed groups.

Law minister Aftab Alam Afridi claimed that the provincial government had taken MPA Riaz Shaheen on board on the matter.

He said Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had vowed to establish the government’s writ in the region at all costs and ordered the immediate demolition of bunkers.

The minister said the people, based outside the country, fuelled Kurram conflict through social media.

He said the issue was so complex that it couldn’t be resolved through one sitting or two.

Mr Afridi announced that an operation would be carried out to “deweaponise” the region.

Member of the opposition ANP Mohammad Nisar Baaz said that it was the government’s responsibility to ensure an early yet effective end to tensions in Kurram district.

He said it was the right of every political party to stage peaceful protests and it was not for the first time that protesters were fired at.

Mr Baaz said gunshots were fired at peaceful protesters of Khudai Khidmatgar movement in 1948, killing 650 of them, including women.

He opposed the proposed governor’s rule in the province saying the ANP believes in democratic norms.

The lawmaker insisted that the people’s mandate secured by his party in the 2018 general elections was stolen.

He asked the PTI members why their party’s workers didn’t join their street protest meant for the release of their jailed leader, Imran Khan.

“Whatever you are doing right

now will benefit the security establishment’s plans to derail democracy in the country,” he said.

Mr Baaz condemned firing at PTI workers and supporters during the Islamabad protest.

MPA Johar Khan accused law-enforcement and paramilitary forces of targeting peaceful marchers, saying they first hugged PTI workers in Islamabad but later turned off lights and fired gunshots at them.

Higher education minister Meena Khan Afridi claimed that firing at PTI protesters was preplanned.

He said the PTI won’t forget the Nov 26 incident and would continue seeking accountability for it.

Member of the opposition PML-N Jalal Khan also condemned the D-Chowk firing but criticised the PTI leadership for escaping while leaving workers behind.

“Do not play with innocent lives anymore,” he asked the PTI leadership.

Mr Khan insisted that PTI workers, not a single MPA of the ruling party, were hurt during the Islamabad protest.

Also, special assistant to the chief minister on industries Abdul Karim Khan tabled the KP Resolution of Commercial Disputes Amendment Bill, 2024, in the house, while law minister Aftab Alam Afridi presented the KP Universities Amendment Bill, 2024.

The chair later adjourned the sitting until 2pm today (Tuesday).

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2024