PTI Denies Claims of Murad Saeed Hiding at KP CM House Amid Protest Controversy
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has dismissed claims by the federal government that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Murad Saeed is in hiding at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar. Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif, a KP government spokesperson, refuted the allegations during an appearance on a talk show on private channel, stating, “If they had seen Murad Saeed, they would have arrested him.”
His remarks followed allegations by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, who earlier claimed that Saeed, accused of absconding after the May 9 riots, was seen leading armed PTI supporters during last month’s protest in Islamabad. Tarar alleged that protesters carried guns, shells, and marbles, which were later recovered from the frontline after their arrest.
Also Read:
The PTI’s three-day protest in Islamabad, initiated by party chairman Imran Khan’s “final call,” defied a newly enacted peaceful assembly law and orders from the Islamabad High Court barring such demonstrations in the federal capital. Violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement agencies (LEAs) resulted in the deaths of at least five security personnel, including three Rangers and two policemen. PTI, on the other hand, claimed 12 of its workers and supporters were killed.
Tarar challenged PTI to provide video evidence proving that LEAs used live ammunition against protesters, asserting that no personnel were authorized to do so. He also played videos during a press conference showing protesters using firearms, shells, and marbles against LEAs, while rejecting what he called “straight-firing propaganda” spread by PTI on social media.
The Information Minister accused PTI of involving professional criminals and Afghan nationals to incite violence and bloodshed during the protest. He further claimed that the party aimed to achieve political gains through chaos and by creating a narrative around dead bodies.
Tarar criticized PTI for its history of violent demonstrations, citing previous incidents like the 2014 attack on PTV and police official SSP Asmatullah Janejo during a protest. He also accused the party of disrupting diplomatic events, such as delaying the Chinese Prime Minister’s visit and staging protests during international summits.
The government proposed holding the protest in the Sangjani area, away from sensitive locations like D-Chowk and the Red Zone, where the Belarusian President was staying, but PTI refused.
Highlighting intelligence reports, Tarar stated that the protests were planned to create chaos and undermine the state’s authority. He stressed the need for effective prosecution of those involved in violence, emphasizing that the government would uphold law and order at all costs.
“States never bow down before anyone,” he said, reiterating the government’s commitment to maintaining the writ of the state and ensuring public safety. He accused PTI of using taxpayer money and KP resources to fund protests, alleging that their ultimate goal was to destabilize the nation’s peace and economy.
Read all the Breaking News Live on pakistantimes.com and Get Latest English News & Updates from Pakistan Times. Follow us on Whatsapp channel for more.
