Draft:Islamabad Massacre 26 November 2024 D-Chowk Islamabad PTI Protest

The 2024 D-Chowk Islamabad Protest occurred on 26 November 2024,

When over 200,000 supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) gathered at D-Chowk, Islamabad, to demonstrate against perceived political injustices and governance challenges in Pakistan. The protest aimed to exercise citizens’ constitutional right to peaceful assembly, as outlined in Article 16 of the Constitution of Pakistan. However, the demonstration was met with severe government crackdowns, power outages, and violent suppression.

Background

D-Chowk, situated near Pakistan’s Parliament House, has historically been a hub for political demonstrations. The PTI planned this protest as a peaceful gathering to voice concerns about governance, economic hardships, and political rights. Participants traveled from all provinces, including Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Government Measures

The government took extensive steps to prevent the protest from reaching D-Chowk. Roads leading to Islamabad were blocked using containers, while thousands of security personnel, including Islamabad Police, Punjab Police, Sindh Police, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Police, Rangers, and the Pakistan Army, were deployed to maintain order. PM of Pakistan agreed Army Involved VOA Witness of eye Al Jazeera English

Starting from 9 PM, Islamabad faced deliberate power outages in areas surrounding D-Chowk and Blue Area. The government ordered the closure of commercial establishments, petrol stations, hotels, and restaurants, plunging the area into darkness and disrupting daily life. Amnesty International Democracy Now Firing eye witness Pashtun National Jirga VOA

The Protest and Crackdown

Despite government measures, thousands of PTI supporters reached Blue Area, close to D-Chowk. Around 9 PM, security forces launched an operation to disperse the protesters, reportedly employing tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and, instances, live ammunition.

New York Time

The operation lasted until 1 AM, resulting in significant casualties. Reports suggest that at least 253 civilians were killed, over 950 were injured, and 1,500 protesters were arrested many vehicles fired Injured individuals were taken to PIMS Hospital and Polyclinic Hospital, which later released lists of the wounded and deceased. BBC report.

Controversy Surrounding Hospitals’ Handling of Deceased Protesters

Following the 2024 D-Chowk protest, PIMS Hospital and Polyclinic Hospital faced criticism for their handling of casualties. Initially, hospital officials confirmed receiving deceased individuals and provided casualty lists to the media and families. However, reports soon emerged alleging inconsistencies, with grieving families claiming they were denied access to the bodies of their loved ones and many civilian missing

Relatives of victims accused hospital administrations of succumbing to government pressure to minimize the reported number of fatalities. Eyewitnesses alleged that some bodies were secretly removed from hospital premises by unidentified personnel, fueling concerns about efforts to obscure the true extent of the violence. In response, human rights organizations demanded transparency in hospital records and called for independent oversight to ensure accountability. wionews

Targeting of Journalists Reporting the Truth

Journalists covering the crackdown on the PTI protest reported facing intimidation and harassment, particularly those using independent platforms such as YouTube to document the events. One journalist gained significant attention for his fearless reporting, which included firsthand accounts, videos of casualties, and eyewitness testimonies. His coverage challenged the official narrative and shed light on the scale of state repression.

Shortly after publishing his reports, the journalist reportedly received threats some missing journalists Shakir Mehmood Awan, and Journalist Matiullah Jan had his channel flagged, and faced increased monitoring of his activities. Critics argue this reflects a broader pattern of suppressing independent media in Pakistan. The incident highlights the essential role of free press in holding authorities accountable and the risks faced by journalists in politically sensitive environments.

1. Salman Durrani

Known for his investigative reporting, Durrani faced harassment for exposing the scale of violence against protestors. He reported receiving threats shortly after releasing footage from the protest.

2. Adeel Habib Adeel Habib,

a reporter with an active presence on digital platforms, was targeted for his real-time updates and commentary that challenged government accounts.

3. Matiullah Jan

A senior journalist and vocal critic of state actions, Matiullah Jan faced increased surveillance and threats for his outspoken reporting on human rights violations.

5.Imran Riaz Khan

A high-profile journalist known for his alignment with opposition narratives, Khan reported being detained and harassed multiple times for his coverage of the protest and its aftermath.

6. Asad Toor Toor,

an independent journalist, was targeted for posting detailed reports on the crackdown, including eyewitness accounts of casualties.

7. Rizwan Ghilzai

Known for his independent YouTube channel, Ghilzai faced threats and had his content flagged after publishing videos that contradicted official statements.

8. Makhdoom Shahab-ud-Din

A digital journalist and commentator, Shahab-ud-Din was reportedly threatened for exposing inconsistencies in government responses during the protests.

9. Siddique Jan

Jan, an investigative journalist, documented evidence of injuries and fatalities at the protest, leading to threats and censorship attempts.

10. Wajahat S. Khan

Khan, an investigative journalist, documented evidence of injuries and fatalities at the protest, leading to threats and censorship attempts.

11. Moeed Pirzada

CEO & Editor Global Village Space;TV Anchor, prominent Columnist & Blogger Washington, DC, USA.

Implications

The targeting of these journalists reflects broader challenges faced by the press in Pakistan, especially in politically charged environments. Their experiences highlight the risks associated with reporting the truth and underscore the urgent need for protections for journalists and freedom of expression.

Social Media Impact

Twitter and YouTube Reactions to the D-Chowk Protest Explore how platforms like Twitter and YouTube became tools for real-time updates, independent reporting, and public mobilization during the 2024 D-Chowk protests. Social media amplified the voices of protesters and journalists, challenging mainstream narratives and documenting state actions. Ex- President of Pakistan tweet Former U.S. Ambassador to Afg Iraq CAGE International Missing ABC Urdu News birds know where is meat Sniper witness Govt support tweet

Key Links:

YouTube Coverage: “PTI Protest 24th November | Latest Situation From D-Chowk”

Twitter Updates:

Follow hashtags like #DChowkProtest2024, #PTIProtest, and #HumanRightsViolation for eyewitness reports and live updates. Many journalists used Twitter to share updates despite censorship attempts. link number missing person link Ex PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Snipers Missing 1 eyes witness dead body PTI Official video Death certificate Death full documentary Other dead body Michael Kugelman Tweet Injured people video other injured other video container video video after operation killing video evidence other murder video Firing Video other video Live Murdered video injured video in hospital injured in hospital MPA PTI Post sniper shoot video shoot in vehicle Murdered Targeted civilian In-Depth Footage: “Imran Khan’s Final Call and the Massive Protest

Aftermath

The crackdown drew widespread condemnation from political parties, civil society, and international human rights organizations. Critics accused the government of violating constitutional rights and employing excessive force against unarmed civilians.

Families of victims have demanded justice and accountability, while opposition parties called for an independent investigation. The incident also raised questions about Pakistan’s commitment to democratic principles and the freedom of assembly.

International Reactions

Human rights commission of Pakistan HRCP and activists worldwide condemned the violence. Calls for an impartial judicial inquiry gained momentum, with demands to hold those responsible accountable for the deaths, injuries, and arrests.

Impact on Democracy

The 2024 D-Chowk protest highlighted the challenges faced by democratic movements in Pakistan. It underscored the heavy costs of dissent and the fragility of democratic freedoms in the face of state opposition.