Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has emphasized that despite the Islamabad High Court’s order prohibiting protests, the government had extended an opportunity to PTI to hold a peaceful demonstration in Sangjani. However, PTI rejected this offer, and as a result, action was taken against them. Tarar and Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, in a press conference in Islamabad, accused PTI of having ulterior motives, claiming that the party’s true intention was never to protest peacefully but to incite violence. Tarar also highlighted the disruption caused by PTI’s actions, noting that Islamabad had been under siege for several days, with a group of agitators attempting to destabilise the capital. He pointed out that foreign guests had been in the Red Zone, and that troublemakers, armed with modern weapons, tear gas shells, stones, and catapults, had violated the High Court’s ruling. Attaullah Tarar stated, “We offered them the option to protest peacefully in Sangjani, where demonstrations could be conducted in a non-violent manner, but their intent was never peaceful. Just two days ago, footage was released showing professional agitators using firearms, weapons, tear gas shells, and pellet guns. In the attacks by these troublemakers, Rangers and police personnel were martyred. Who should we hold responsible for the blood of these martyrs?” Attaullah Tarar further emphasised, “Security forces have ensured peace in the federal capital, but a false narrative was created on social media claiming that Rangers were martyred by their own people. The identified criminal is from Abbottabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. These individuals aimed to disrupt Islamabad’s peace; they had no public demand but sought to free their leader. We have arrested 37 Afghan militants. Afghanistan is our friendly country, and we share good relations with them, but the question remains-what were Afghan citizens doing in Islamabad during a political party’s protest? Was this allowed?” The Minister of Information stated, “From 2013 to 2017, large-scale operations were conducted, bringing peace back to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Karachi, and reducing terrorism incidents. During the tenure of the founding chairman of PTI, the Taliban were reintroduced. Now, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is experiencing a wave of terrorism, and the Chief Minister seems uninterested in maintaining peace. In Kurram Agency, 50 bodies were found, while they were laying siege to Islamabad.” He added, “The responsibility for terrorism in the country lies with one person-someone who promotes violence. This is the same party that used religion as a tool for its own political agenda. What was the purpose behind their statements against Saudi Arabia? They aim to play with the religious sentiments of the public and use religion for political gains. We condemn the acts of vandalism at media houses.” Attaullah Tarar further said, “PTI is facing internal turmoil. Their leadership was absent from the protest-Aftab Khan, Shahram Tarakai, Asad Qaiser, Hamad Azhar, and Sheikh Waqas were not present. There’s also an ongoing fake list circulating about the protesters. If any casualties have occurred, evidence should be presented. Statements from Polyclinic and PIMS hospitals confirm no fatalities.” Eight cases registered against PTI leadership Eight cases have been registered in Islamabad against the leadership and workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) over attacks on police and acts of vandalism during the party’s protest in the federal capital. The FIRs name PTI founder Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, among others. According to details, the cases were registered in various police stations, including Shehzad Town, Sihala, Bani Gala, Khanna, Shams Colony, Tarnol, Noon, and Nilore. The charges include terrorism, violations of the Assembly Act, attacks on police, abductions, obstruction of official duties, damage to public property, arson, and defiance of Section 144. The FIRs also name senior PTI leaders Salman Akram Raja and Sheikh Waqas along with thousands of unidentified individuals of orchestrating and participating in the violence. Charges of disrupting government functions and violating public order have also been mentioned in the FIRs. The cases related to PTI’s Oct 4 protest in Islamabad also remain, during which several party workers were detained, many of whom have since served jail time and been released.