Omar Ayub, Waqas Akram Sheikh demand a judicial inquiry into use of firearms at D-Chowk
\n Islamabad
\nThe Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has confirmed that at least 12 individuals have died during the Islamabad protest, following earlier claims of a significant death toll.
\nSpeaking at a press conference with Opposition Leader Omar Ayub in Peshawar on Friday, PTI\u2019s central spokesperson, Waqas Akram Sheikh, described the government\u2019s actions as unprecedented in Pakistan\u2019s history of protests. He alleged that reporting journalists about the fatalities during the Islamabad protest have been imprisoned, and that many others remain missing with no information about their whereabouts.
\nHe revealed that while the police are providing some figures, PTI has also gathered its own data on the arrests. \u201cTwelve individuals have died during the protest,\u201d Sheikh confirmed. \u201cThe actual number is higher, but we are sharing only the confirmed figures with the media.\u201d
\nHe added that the bodies of the deceased were withheld for three days before being returned to their families. \u201cThe government is attempting to conceal both the bodies and evidence, but these things cannot be hidden more.\u201d During the press conference, Sheikh also criticised the government for demanding names and proof of the deaths, as hospitals were pressured not to share lists with the media. \u201cWhich law allows shooting unarmed people?\u201d he asked. \u201cWhich government has opened fire on peaceful citizens? How can state machinery be used against its own people?\u201d he added.
\nSheikh said demanding the right to protest is not a crime, and a right granted by the constitution. \u201cOur workers were prepared for tear gas and rubber bullets, but not for firearms and bullets,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Omar Ayub, Waqas Akram Sheikh demand a judicial inquiry into use of firearms at D-Chowk Islamabad The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has confirmed that at least 12 individuals have died during the Islamabad protest, following earlier claims of a significant death toll. Speaking at a press conference with Opposition Leader Omar Ayub in Peshawar on Friday, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":446464,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-446447","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n