Sydney 2 Dec 2024, Tribune’s Report: In a storm of controversy, Pakistan’s government, accused of being installed through military-backed election manipulation, is under fire for its handling of a protest by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters in Islamabad. The February 8 election, marred by allegations of vote rigging, has resulted in widespread unrest and accusations of severe human rights violations.
At the heart of the current scandal are statements from Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Information Minister, Mr. Attaullah Tarar who recently denied allegations of brutality during a crackdown on PTI protestors at D-Chowk, Islamabad.
In a press conference, they claimed that law enforcement agencies did not resort to violence and asserted that former Prime Minister Imran Khan, detained during the protests, was not a political prisoner but was facing serious criminal charges.
Contrary to these claims, Minister Mr. Tarar dismissed reports of casualties as fabricated, stating that no injured or deceased individuals were brought to the two major hospitals in Islamabad. However, these declarations have been met with global skepticism, with many branding them as blatant falsehoods.
International Media Exposes the Violence
Eyewitness accounts and footage captured by international media tell a harrowing tale of excessive force. Among the most shocking incidents was the fatal fall of a protestor from a three-story container while praying. The moment, captured on video, was widely circulated, symbolizing the brutality of the crackdown. Reports have also highlighted the deaths of hundreds of demonstrators, with images of injured and slain individuals flooding global news outlets.
Watch how rangers a person praying was through from the container: https://x.com/CopsGoneWrong/status/1861591638381867484
The crackdown involved coordinated action by the police, paramilitary forces, and snipers allegedly stationed on rooftops. Videos and photographs, depicting mass funerals and grieving families, have painted a grim picture that starkly contradicts the government’s narrative.
Calls for Accountability
The massacre has drawn the attention of Amnesty International, the United Nations, and other prominent human rights organizations. These groups have condemned the events in Islamabad as a severe breach of international human rights laws. However, in a bid to evade accountability, Pakistan’s government and military establishment continue to deny any wrongdoing, dismissing the atrocities as propaganda.
This blatant denial has further enraged the public and international observers alike. Critics argue that the government’s attempt to whitewash its actions is not only an insult to the victims but also a dangerous precedent in a nation already grappling with fragile democratic institutions.
Hope for Justice
The people of Pakistan are now turning to global powers and international human rights organizations to intervene. They demand that those responsible for orchestrating and executing this violence be brought before international courts of justice. The massacre in Islamabad has not only scarred the nation’s history but also highlighted the urgent need for transparent governance and accountability.
As Pakistan grapples with its darkest hour, the world watches closely, awaiting action against what has been described as one of the gravest violations of human rights in the country’s history.
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