[As night fell, the operation escalated to terrifying proportions. Military snipers positioned atop government buildings and paramilitary forces armed with advanced weaponry launched an indiscriminate assault on unarmed demonstrators…..] by Syed Atiq ul Hassan
On the evening of November 26, 2024, Islamabad, the heart of Pakistan, became a site of terror and tragedy as a brutal military operation turned a peaceful protest into a massacre. Thousands of protesters, largely from the northern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), had gathered to demand justice, democracy, an end to alleged military interference in national governance, and the release of legendary politician Imran Khan and hundreds of his party workers, who were imprisoned under fabricated charges or without any charges framed against them. What began as a peaceful march culminated in unprecedented bloodshed, with Pakistan’s own security forces unleashing a deadly crackdown in the capital’s highly sensitive Red Zone (D-Chowk).
As night fell, the operation escalated to terrifying proportions. Military snipers positioned atop government buildings and paramilitary forces armed with advanced weaponry launched an indiscriminate assault on unarmed demonstrators. The sounds of gunfire echoed through the streets as tear gas and stun grenades added to the chaos. In a matter of hours, the peaceful gathering transformed into a blood-soaked scene of devastation. Bodies lay scattered across the streets, and the air was thick with panic, screams, and the acrid smell of gunpowder.
Hiding the Truth: Disappearances and Censorship
The true scale of the tragedy remains concealed, as reports of mass disappearances emerged following the operation. Witnesses claimed that military personnel dragged injured protesters and the
bodies of the deceased into unmarked vehicles, driving them to undisclosed locations. Families of the missing have been left in agonizing uncertainty, with no official acknowledgment of their whereabouts. Human rights activists fear extrajudicial killings and secret detentions.
To further suppress the truth, journalists were barred from accessing hospitals and morgues. Families of the victims were denied the right to see their loved ones, deepening their anguish. The Pakistani government enforced a complete media blackout and internet ban, leaving citizens in the dark and allowing officials to manipulate the narrative. Independent sources suggest that the actual death toll and the number of injured far exceed the figures reported by the state.
A Global Call to Action
This violent crackdown is the culmination of a broader climate of unrest and authoritarianism gripping the nation. The roots of the crisis can be traced back to the controversial general elections earlier in the year, where the military was accused of manipulating results to favor the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). The resulting government has been widely perceived as a puppet regime, deepening public disillusionment.
The massacre in Islamabad is not just a violation of human rights; it is an assault on the principles of democracy and the rule of law. We appeal to world leaders, human rights organizations, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the United Nations, the European Union, and the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia to take immediate and decisive action to hold Pakistan’s government and military accountable.
An Urgent Appeal to Australia
The Australian Prime Minister and government must play a leading role in seeking justice for the victims of this brutal crackdown. Australia has long been a staunch advocate for human rights and democratic values, and now is the time to act decisively.
We urge the Australian government to demand that Pakistan’s military chief and prime minister provide answers to the international community:
- Why was military force used against peaceful protesters, resulting in the deaths of dozens and injuries to hundreds?
- Why were injured individuals and the bodies of the deceased hidden from their families and loved ones?
- Why were journalists denied access to the victims and hospitals, and why was the true scale of the tragedy covered up?
Sanctions and International Oversight
The international community must not only demand answers but also take concrete steps to ensure accountability. This includes imposing immediate sanctions to suspend international funding
and loans to Pakistan until a transparent investigation is conducted. Additionally, foreign visits by Pakistani high-ranking officials, including the military chief and prime minister, must be banned.
Given the compromised state of Pakistan’s judiciary—controlled by the military and an unlawful, incomplete parliament—any domestic investigation would lack credibility. A high-level judicial inquiry under the supervision of international monitors is essential to ensure impartiality and transparency.
These measures are not only necessary to seek justice for the victims of the November 26 massacre but also to safeguard democratic values in Pakistan. Failure to act risks emboldening authoritarian regimes worldwide, setting a dangerous precedent for the suppression of fundamental human rights.
A Turning Point for Pakistan and the World
As Pakistan mourns the lives lost on November 26, 2024, the international community must step forward to ensure this tragedy marks a turning point. The blood of the innocent cries out for justice, and the world cannot afford to remain silent. We urge democratic nations and global institutions to stand with the people of Pakistan and demand accountability, transparency, and the restoration of democratic principles.
This is not just Pakistan’s fight—it is a fight for the values that unite all free nations. Let this moment become a defining chapter in the global commitment to justice, democracy, and humanity.
The writer is a Sydney-based journalist a political analyst and editor, Tribune International, Australia. Recipient of harmony and peace awards. His email address is shassan@tribune-intl.com ).
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