CHARSADDA: Former first lady Bushra Bibi has claimed that PTI leaders “abandoned her” in Islamabad during the party’s protest last month and denied claims that she “ran away” from the capital.

On Nov 24, Bushra led a convoy of supporters from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to hold a protest in Islamabad on the call of her husband, Imran Khan.

On the night between Nov 26 and 27, security forces launched an operation to clear the capital’s Red Zone of protesters, forcing the PTI leadership leadership and supporters to retreat.

Following the action, federal ministers claimed that Bushra, along with KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, abandoned the protesters and “ran away” to KP.

However, she has denied the accusation, claiming that she was “alone in a car” at D-Chowk till 12:30am on Nov 27.

Aleema disputes ‘death toll’ given by Barrister Gohar

The former first lady said this on Friday while talking to media persons in Charsadda, where she visited the families of party workers Tajuddin and Mohammad Ali, who are said to have died during the protest.

She handed compensation cheques of Rs1million each — announced by PTI’s provincial government — to the bereaved families and assured them of all possible support.

The former first lady was accompanied by MNA Faisal Amin Khan Gandapur, PTI spokesperson Raoof Hasan and other national and provincial lawmakers.

She expressed her distress at the death of PTI party workers and said she was visiting the families on Mr Khan’s directives.

While narrating the situation near the D-Chowk, the former first lady said: “I am not someone who runs away and especially could not leave those who came onto the streets for [Imran] Khan.

“I was present alone in the car until 12:30am at D-Chowk,” she said, adding she was there as the PTI founder had asked the protesters “not to move at any cost”.

She claimed that when forces launched the operation, other party leaders “left her alone” despite her requests not to do so.

She alleged that authorities “fired” at her car there when she refused to leave.

“There are many witnesses; even those who were clearing the roads are witnesses. Even when I wasn’t leaving, [they were] firing on my car.”

She vowed not to abandon those who “came out and sacrificed their lives” for her husband.

Bushra Bibi also announced that a girls’ school in Khanmai Zahidabad area of Charsadda would be named after Tajuddin.

MPA Khalid Khan, who was with the ex-first lady, said the people of Khyber Pakhtun­khwa had always supported Imran Khan and would continue to stand with him.

Pakhtuns have always shown their loyalty towards the PTI founder and his call for “real independence,” she said.

Talking to reporters, PTI MNA Faisal Amin Gandapur accused the federal government of directly firing at the protestors.

He said an event would be held on December 13 to pay homage to those who died during the protest.

He said Mr Gohar was a lawyer “who only stated facts” but as per her information, 150 to 200 PTI workers were still missing.

The party would give a future course of action after the event, he said adding that the workers “sacrificed their lives for Imran Khan’s mission”.

“We salute their sacrifices. We will support their families,” he said.

Aleema disputes death toll

Also on Saturday, Aleem Khan, the sister of PTI founder, once again disputed the toll of 12 deaths claimed by the party’s chairman, Barrister Gohar.

According to Ms Khan, she was at Jinnah Avenue when the forces launched the operation to disperse the protesters.

She claimed that protesters were shot at by “sniper rifles” and accused the government of hiding the bodies.

Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2024