Murad Saeed orchestrated ‘Islamabad violence’ from KP CM House: Atta Tarar

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Atta Tarar has claimed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Murad Saeed orchestrated the Islamabad protest from the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar.

He said that Murad Saeed was also present at PTI’s Islamabad protest with a “trained group of accomplices.” 

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside Interior Secretary Khurram Ali Agha, Tarar said that “a misleading social media campaign has been unleashed following the PTI’s protest failure in Islamabad.

Tarar accused Murad Saeed of orchestrating the violence while hiding in the KP CM House.

“Murad Saeed was actively involved in the protest, accompanied by a trained group. It doesn’t feel right to raid the CM House, but you initiated it wrongly at the very start as “PTI workers ran over a Rangers vehicle and martyred three personnel.” 

He alleged that “criminals and Afghan nationals were part of the PTI protest, and described them as trained agitators. 

Also read: Interior Ministry tackles propaganda after PTI protest in a detailed statement

Tarar questioned why such protests coincide with visits from foreign dignitaries as the demonstration took place during the state visit of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. He said that permission was granted to the PTI leaders to Imran Khan but former first lady Bushra Bibi insisted to reach D-Chowk.

He claimed that Afghan nationals joined the protesters who were allegedly funded with millions of rupees and armed by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government. 

“Protesters don’t carry slingshots, firearms, and stones. Have you ever seen an AK-47 or grenades at protests anywhere in the world?” 

He also highlighted the sacrifices of law enforcement personnel, stating, “Police officers stand guard through extreme cold and heat to protect us but you have committed murders.

He claimed that security personnel were not carrying live rounds but the protesters were carrying weapons and now they are uploading fabricated and fake videos and images on social mesia. 

Tarar claimed that 37 foreigners, criminals, and individuals with prior records took part in the PTI protest.

“The arrested individuals admitted they were paid to join the PTI rally. While there was chaos in Kurram, the PTI’s all focus was on politics. You have failed politically and in your plans for violence. Show even one piece of evidence of live firing by law enforcement agencies,” he challenged. 

He questioned the need to enter Islamabad’s Red Zone when designated and alternative venues for the protest were offered by the government.

“Reports from PIMS and Polyclinic hospitals confirm that no deaths occurred from law enforcement fire,” Tarar said, adding that the PTI protest lacked any legitimate public demands and failed to garner support from KP residents. 

Interior Secretary Khurram Ali Agha said that the Islamabad High Court had instructed authorities to ensure the safety of citizens. He praised the patience of law enforcement officials despite provocations by protesters. 

“Protesters opened unprovoked fire, resulting in the martyrdom and injuries of several officials,” Agha said.

“We categorically deny claims of live firing by law enforcement agencies. Let them publish as many international articles as they want; we will respond to each one.” 

During the press conference, footage of armed protesters was also shown to the media.