Bushra Bibi, the spouse of former prime minister and founder of PTI, Imran Khan, came clean about her departure from a recently held protest in Islamabad in Pakistan Shia on Friday. On November 13, Imran called a “final call” for nationwide protests on November 24, demanding the restoration of PTI’s electoral mandate, the release of detained party members, and reverse of the 26th Amendment, which he said has strengthened a “dictatorial regime”.
The day came to an end with violent skirmishes between security forces and PTI protesters across the federal capital, but it ended just before the hasty retreat of the party’s top leadership and supporters from the Red Zone in the early hours of November 27. Tragically, six lives were lost during the three-day protest, including a policeman and three Rangers officials struck by a speeding vehicle.
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Meanwhile, high-flying PTI leaders met with Imran Khan at Adiala Jail on Monday, and they officially claimed that 12 supporters died in the protest. Today Bushra Bibi, MNA Faisal Amin Khan Gandapur, and PTI spokesperson Raoof Hasan paid visits to the families of two deceased protesters, Mohammad Ali and Tajuddin, in Charsadda. Bushra told the reporters “I am not the one who runs away and particularly could not run away from those who came to streets for [Imran] Khan.” She also added, “I was present alone in the car until 12:30 am at D-Chowk.”
“In as much as she was detailing the events of her exit, she went on to say, “Bibi has never returned because Khan had told us not to run away”. Further explaining, she substantiated, saying, “I told everyone not to leave me alone but they left me there [D-Chowk]. Bibi was alone there”. Bushra went on to allege that authorities fired at her convoy by saying, “There are many witnesses, not just 30-40; even those evacuation roads were also witnessing witnesses. Even when I wasn’t leaving, firing on my car continued.”
The PTI leaders handed over a cheque of 10 million rupees to each of the bereaved families and assured them of all possible support. Apart from this, the KP cabinet also approved an Rs10 million compensation package for the “Shuhada” of the Islamabad D-Chowk firing which occurred on November 26.