Authorities ‘confiscated’ all records of PTI’s dead, injured workers: Islamabad doctor tells UK newspaper

Amid ongoing uncertainty about the death toll and injuries sustained by PTI workers during the crackdown on their protest in Islamabad, a UK newspaper shed light on alleged attempts to suppress information. A doctor on duty at a local hospital claimed that authorities had “confiscated all records” of casualties, warning medics against speaking out.

The Guardian published a report detailing the aftermath of the operation, during which security forces were accused of firing on protesters.

Despite PTI's claims that hundreds were injured and “more than a dozen” were killed, the government categorically denied these figures, insisting that not a single protester died during the crackdown.

However, PTI refuted the government's narrative by sharing details and pictures of eight workers allegedly killed during operations conducted in areas such as D-Chowk, Blue Area, and Jinnah Avenue.

According to the Guardian, a doctor at an Islamabad hospital revealed that he treated at least 40 patients with gunshot wounds on the night of the crackdown.

The doctor confirmed seven deaths, with four patients in critical condition, and noted that eight more injured individuals were admitted later.

“All records of the dead and injured have been confiscated by authorities. We are not allowed to talk. Senior government officials are visiting the hospital to hide the records,” the doctor told the newspaper.

PTI has highlighted the Guardian report to support its claims of higher casualties than officially acknowledged. However, discrepancies remain within the party's leadership.

However, party leaders have contradicted each other on the number of deaths. While Latif Khosa alleged that 278 workers were killed, Salman Akram Raja claimed the death toll stands at 20.