In the wake of violent clashes between police and protesters in Islamabad on November 26, 2024, surrounding the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, a growing dispute has emerged regarding the true number of casualties. While the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party claims that a dozen of its supporters were killed during the unrest, government officials deny the deaths, creating a tense standoff over conflicting narratives.
Disputed Deaths and Casualties
The tragic death of 20-year-old Anees Shehzad, a PTI supporter, highlights the discrepancy in the reports. Shehzad, who died from gunshot wounds sustained during the protests, was one of the victims in what PTI describes as a violent crackdown by security forces. The party insists that at least 12 protesters were killed, many reportedly by gunfire. However, the government has maintained that no fatalities occurred, citing statements from major hospitals in Islamabad which claimed to have received no bodies. Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar dismissed PTI’s claims, suggesting that reports of the deaths were fabricated and spread through social media platforms.
This stark contrast in reports has led to confusion and distrust among the public, with PTI officials asserting that the authorities are downplaying the scale of the violence.
The Protests and Government Response
The protests began as part of PTI’s broader political movement to demand the release of Imran Khan, who was imprisoned following his ousting earlier in the year. Thousands of Khan’s supporters gathered in Islamabad on November 26 to call for his release, the reversal of recent election results, and changes to a controversial constitutional amendment regarding judicial appointments. The demonstrators clashed with security forces near D-Chowk, Islamabad’s political epicenter, where tensions flared.
While the use of tear gas and rubber bullets by paramilitary forces was initially reported, PTI has alleged that live ammunition was used, though the government denies this. The chaotic confrontation, including the setting of police kiosks on fire by protesters, escalated as law enforcement attempted to disperse the crowd, leading to violent exchanges.
Personal Accounts of Loss and Trauma
The families of those killed in the protests have shared heartbreaking testimonies. Anees Shehzad’s cousin, Nafees Satti, described the young man as a staunch PTI supporter who was determined to join the protest despite concerns from his family. “He was adamant because Imran Khan, his political idol, had called for it,” Satti explained. By the time the family received the call from the hospital, Shehzad had already succumbed to his injuries. His death, like those of others, has left the family in profound grief, with Shehzad’s mother and younger brother struggling to cope with the loss.
Another victim, 24-year-old Mobeen Aurangzeb from Abbottabad, was the primary breadwinner for his family. His brother, Asad, recalled how Mobeen had been shot during the protests, and the call with the news of his injury abruptly ended. Despite their frantic efforts, Asad and his family faced delays and uncooperative hospital staff in retrieving Mobeen’s body, which was only released after several hours of pleading.
The Politics of Death
The stark contrast in casualty reports is not just about the number of deaths, but about the political ramifications of these events. PTI leaders have accused the government of a cover-up, suggesting that authorities are downplaying the scale of the violence to protect the reputation of the ruling party. Meanwhile, government officials have dismissed these claims, accusing PTI of politicizing the deaths for its own gain.
In his statements, Tarar mocked PTI’s version of events, suggesting that the alleged victims were nothing more than fabricated “bodies” circulating on social media. He further questioned the validity of the PTI’s claims, pointing to the absence of bodies in the two largest hospitals in Islamabad.
Broader Implications and the Ongoing Crisis
Beyond the immediate political implications, these disputed deaths underscore a broader crisis in Pakistan, where violence and political unrest continue to affect the country’s social fabric. The November 2024 clashes are part of a larger struggle between PTI and the ruling government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with both sides increasingly engaged in a war of narratives. The official denial of casualties, while PTI releases names and details of those it claims were killed, reflects a worrying trend in the manipulation of information during times of political conflict.
The refusal to acknowledge the deaths of protesters raises serious questions about the credibility of state institutions and the willingness of authorities to address human rights violations. As the political standoff continues, the families of the victims remain in limbo, with little recognition of their loss from those in power.
Conclusion
The violence that erupted in Islamabad on November 26, 2024, has exposed deep divisions within Pakistan’s political landscape. The clash over casualty figures between the government and PTI is not merely a battle of numbers but a reflection of the broader struggle for truth and accountability. As the families of the deceased continue to mourn, the country faces an urgent need for transparency and justice. The disputed deaths of these protesters are a stark reminder of the high human cost of political conflict in Pakistan.
