Afghan detainees accuse PTI of planning to provoke unrest in Islamabad

Afghan nationals arrested during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf protests in Islamabad revealed that they were paid by the party leadership to engage in acts of vandalism.

The detainees admitted to participating in the PTI protests for money and claimed they were encouraged by party leaders to incite violence.

Video statements from several individuals in custody have surfaced, including one from a suspect named Khayal Gul, who asserted that he was paid Rs2,000 to disrupt law and order.

Gul further revealed that while he was apprehended by the police, the party leadership fled the scene and did not pay him the promised amount. 

Another detainee, Mula Dad, said he had travelled from Peshawar to Islamabad with two friends to join the protests.

Dad also alleged that the party leaders abandoned them without compensation, leaving them to face the police.

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*اسلام آباد میں احتجاج کی آڑ میں شر پسندی کرنے والے گرفتار افغان بلوائیوں کے ہوش ربا بیانات منظر عام پر*

پر امن احتجاج کا لبادہ اوڑھے پی ٹی آئی کے شر پسند افغان بلوائیوں نے انتشار اور سرکاری املاک کو نقصان پہنچانے کی تمام حدیں پار… pic.twitter.com/nBGhzHSc0T

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“We urge our Afghan brothers not to engage in any form of violence or damage to property,” he added.

Abdul Rehman, another imprisoned individual, accused PTI leaders of provoking them to damage government property. 

He pleaded for release, stating that he needed to provide for his family and children.

Earlier, PTI had announced plans for a protest at D-Chowk, prompting authorities to take action by blocking roads and arresting 146 individuals, 60 of whom were Afghans, to prevent further unrest.

According to sources, the detained individuals were reportedly carrying tools such as spiked batons, slingshots, and marbles, allegedly in an attempt to create chaos and launch attacks.

Around 4,000 police officers were deployed to oversee the protests and arrest lawbreakers. The Islamabad administration also placed containers at key locations to prevent protesters from gathering and reaching D-Chowk.

At crucial entry points, the Pakistan Army and other law enforcement agencies ensured that no disturbances occurred in the city.