The British newspaper “The Guardian” has reported 17 deaths during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protests following a government crackdown, alleging that authorities seized hospital records.
Late on Tuesday night, security forces launched a large-scale operation against PTI protesters, clearing the entire Blue Area of Islamabad, the capital city. Reports indicate that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, left the area in a vehicle, while unidentified individuals set fire to a container intended for PTI’s central leadership.
Hours later, Gandapur and Bushra Bibi were reportedly seen in Mansehra, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
According to security sources, Blue Area was evacuated and secured by midnight, with no further operations underway at that location.
The death toll among PTI workers remains a contentious issue, with varying accounts. PTI leader Lateef Khosa claimed 278 fatalities, while Salman Akram Raja, another party leader, reported only 20 deaths. A pro-PTI YouTuber suggested 105 casualties, whereas Islamabad-based journalists reported eight deaths, including four security personnel.
The Guardian’s article on Wednesday night cited 17 deaths and highlighted accusations that the government had confiscated hospital records to suppress the true figures.
