PTI’s Information Secretary Raoof Hasan was reportedly injured on his face after an attack by unidentified individuals, purportedly transgender persons, in Islamabad. The incident occurred outside the premises of a local TV channel in the federal capital and has drawn strong condemnation from the party’s leaders.
The circumstances surrounding the attack and the motives of the assailants remain unclear, as the party has released a brief statement on the incident without providing detailed information about what transpired. In response to the incident, PTI expressed strong disapproval, describing the attack as “extremely shameful and deplorable” in a statement shared on social media.
Video footage accompanying the statement shows Hasan seeking medical assistance, with visible blood on his face and shirt as he entered a building. Additionally, PTI issued another statement raising concerns about the safety of individuals, highlighting the brazenness of the attack on a senior party representative in the federal capital during daylight hours.
CCTV footage obtained by Geo News captures the attack, showing Hasan being confronted by a group of individuals, purportedly transgender persons, who allegedly used a sharp object. The footage depicts the assailants engaging in a conversation with Hasan before physically assaulting him. The incident only came to an end after the intervention of a passerby, as shown in the video.
The attack prompted a strong reaction from PTI lawmakers in the Senate, with Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz condemning the assault and PTI senators resorting to protest against the government during the session. In response, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar assured that the incident would be addressed in accordance with the law and urged PTI leaders to file a case with a commitment to taking appropriate action.
Amid the Senate session, Senator Sherry Rehman called for a report on the incident, and Senator Faisal Vawda condemned the attack while addressing the Upper House. There were calls for swift action and a thorough explanation of the incident within 24 hours, emphasizing the significance of the matter.
The Islamabad police, in a statement, indicated that eyewitnesses reported the involvement of transgender persons in the attack and assured that strict action would be taken against those responsible. The police stated that they were present at the scene and collecting evidence in connection with the incident.
