PTI Chairman disassociates party from D-Chowk protest death toll claims

ISLAMABAD: PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar said the party was indifferent to those claiming hundreds of deaths in the D-Chowk protest.

Speaking outside Adiala Jail, he said he met the PTI founder, who directed the party to raise the issue in Parliament and advocate for it in the Senate and National Assembly.

Addressing rumours about the PTI founder’s health, Gohar clarified that he was fine and in Adiala Jail. Reports regarding his absence or ill health were baseless. Gauhar briefed him on the progress of the protest and the loss of 12 PTI members, stressing that the founder was not aware of these details earlier.

He condemned the use of any means of firearms during the protest, without any source, and reiterated that the party had no intention of gathering at D-Chowk. Gohar dismissed the discussion about the protest venue as a distraction from the core issue of the deaths.

He stressed that the PTI is continuing its political struggle without any restrictions. Gohar also rejected the audio leaks and denied any personal ambition for positions. He revealed his meetings with the chief minister but expressed non-commitment to talks with the establishment.

Notably, during the November 26 operation to remove protesters from Islamabad, key PTI leaders, including Ali Amin Gandapur and Bushra Bibi, fled the scene. There were conflicting reports about the casualties, with Latif Khosa listing 278 deaths and PTI’s Sheikh Waqas Akram listing 12 names.