The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has raised serious concerns over the federal government’s handling of the PTI-led protest in Islamabad on November 26, 2024. In its fact-finding report, the HRCP alleged that excessive and disproportionate force was used against demonstrators, leading to several deaths, despite government claims to the contrary.
Deaths and Alleged Suppression of Information
The HRCP report is based on testimonies from state representatives, PTI leaders, journalists, and the families of seven individuals allegedly killed during the protest. The commission expressed deep concern over allegations that hospital administrations and police withheld victims’ bodies, pressuring families to refrain from legal action.
While hospital authorities refused to cooperate with the HRCP’s investigation, independent journalists and victims’ relatives claimed that crucial information was being concealed.
Violence and Government Response
According to reports, some protesters carried pistols, tear gas rounds, and slingshots. In response, security forces used live ammunition and excessive force, with the interior minister declining to comment on these allegations. The HRCP also criticized the government’s inability to manage the demonstration effectively.
Media Blackout Raises Concerns
The HRCP noted that mainstream media failed to report the incident, potentially due to state pressure or self-censorship. The organization emphasized that journalists should have been allowed to report freely and assess the situation without interference.
HRCP Demands Independent Inquiry
The HRCP has called for an impartial investigation involving PTI, other political parties, and victims’ families to ensure transparency and accountability.
Crackdown on Protesters
On the night of November 26, Pakistan’s security forces launched an operation to disperse thousands of PTI supporters who had gathered in Islamabad, demanding the release of their jailed leader, Imran Khan. Protesters had reportedly broken through barricades before being met with a heavy police crackdown.
With rising political tensions, the HRCP’s call for an independent inquiry adds pressure on the government to address allegations of human rights violations.