PTI Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan was injured in an attack in Islamabad on Tuesday.
“Very shameful and reprehensible!!” the get together stated in a submit on X. Video footage shared by the get together confirmed Hasan bleeding from the face with anchor Shahid Masood with him.
“This reprehensible act of violence is an assault on free speech, democracy, and the rule of regulation.
“Such shameful ways is not going to deter Raoof Hasan or the PTI from our trigger. Attempts to intimidate or silence us will solely strengthen our resolve to battle for a simply and equitable society,” the get together stated, including that he was attacked outdoors the workplace of a non-public media channel.
A press release from the Islamabad police spokesperson stated Hasan was attacked with a blade outdoors the workplace of a non-public TV channel. “Hasan was attacked on the face with a blade by transgenders according to eyewitnesses,” the assertion stated.
It added that the police have been current on the spot and gathering proof. “Strict action will be taken against the transgenders who have done this,” it stated.
Senior Superintendent of Police Hassan Jahangir Wattoo stated the footage of the incident was being analysed and additional particulars can be shared in due time with the media.
CCTV footage posted by the PTI appeared to corroborate the police account, exhibiting Hasan being attacked by 4 people who gave the impression to be from the transgender group.
The get together questioned who was the “ringleader” for the assailants.
A message posted on the X account of PTI founder Imran Khan, which is managed by his social media staff, stated: “The complete nation is aware of who’s orchestrating these assaults on our management. It’s the identical powers that lurk in the shadows and use proxies to harass & threaten judges and make a mockery of elections by overtly tampering outcomes.
“Let us make it very clear that PTI is not going to be deterred by such soiled ways & violence which solely serve to show the perpetrators earlier than the nation.”
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub stated the attack was “proof that he is being silenced for speaking the truth”, alleging that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was behind the assault.
He known as for the Islamabad police chief to apprehend the culprits instantly or resign from his place.
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Shibli Faraz raised the incident in in the present day’s Senate session and stated he needed a right away response from Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on the difficulty as a result of “this incident that happened is very serious that the state of affairs has reached this extent that the spokesperson of Pakistan’s biggest party is physically attacked. This is unacceptable.”
He known as on the regulation minister to provide his opinion on the matter and provides the related orders. PTI Senator Barrister Ali Zafar stated the get together was staging a walkout.
Tarar stated a number of points of the case wanted to be handled as per the regulation, including that it was the federal government’s accountability to make sure that residents have been handled as per regulation.
He stated there can be authorized proceedings on any report filed by the aggrieved get together. Tarar stated he would share data from Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and the Islamabad police chief shortly.
Later, Faraz criticised the treasury benches for not even expressing verbal assist for Hasan and condemning the incident. He stated the incident was “no small matter” and held nice symbolic worth.
Calling for an entire investigation inside 24 hours, Faraz stated the get together anticipated the federal government to provide an incident report in Wednesday’s Senate session in addition to a briefing from the inside minister on the culprits and their arrests.
PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui additionally strongly condemned the attack on behalf of his get together and treasury benches. “You cannot silence someone through such fascist tactics and you only raise the other party’s stature with such incidents,” he added.
PML-N Senator Mushahid Sayed stated the attacked deserved “strong condemnation as unacceptable crime!”
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar additionally condemned the attack whereas talking on Geo News programme ‘Capital Talk’, saying that Hasan was a really senior politician who had additionally labored intently along with the PML-N in the previous.
Adding that the incident was unlucky, the minister careworn the necessity for an investigation to unravel the matter.
PTI chief Barrister Gohar Ali Khan stated Hasan suffered three cuts on his proper cheek and was being stitched up.
“Judging by the injuries, it was an attack on his life,” he stated.
PTI chief Hammad Azhar stated the attack by “unknown persons was a sign of cowardice and panic”.
He additionally posted an image of a blade, allegedly used to attack the PTI spokesperson. “Panic is at its peak,” he stated.
“The worst period of fascism continues in Pakistan,” PTI chief Qasim Suri stated whereas addressing the attack.
Former PTI chief and federal minister Fawad Chaudhry stated the attack was an “assault on Pakistan’s political values”, including that each one politicians regardless of get together or political affiliation ought to strongly condemn the incident.
“This is a new low in our polity and society. HRCP demands an immediate inquiry into the incident; the perpetrators must be brought to book,” stated the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.
Journalist Mubashir Zaidi strongly condemned the attack.
“I condemn today’s attack on Raoof Hasan in Islamabad. Really shaken by this news. He’s a kind soul and a longtime friend. Hoping he’ll be okay,” stated Michael Kugelman, a scholar of South Asian affairs on the Wilson Centre in Washington.
