ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Information Secretary Raoof Hasan revealed on Wednesday that his attackers intended to “slit” his throat during an attack in Islamabad earlier this week.
Addressing a press conference at the PTI secretariat in Islamabad, Hasan, accompanied by PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan and senior leader Azam Swati, declared that the party’s adversaries have failed to dismantle the Imran Khan-founded party despite deploying all possible tactics. Overcome with emotion, Hasan wept as he recounted that his party colleagues had endured even worse ordeals.
Hasan claimed that the same individuals had threatened him three days prior, warning that they were trailing him. He dismissed the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the police following the attack, criticizing it as inadequate. He further lambasted the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government, accusing it of yielding to power centers and failing to construct a solid narrative against PTI. Hasan vowed that PTI leaders would remain steadfast and never capitulate.
Referring to the incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan, Hasan suggested that the current rulers would soon realize the need to negotiate with Khan, who is held at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail.
Omar Ayub Khan condemned the attack on Hasan, describing it as an “assassination bid” and rejected the police-filed FIR, labeling it an attempt to undermine the case. He called for the establishment of a judicial commission to investigate the assault on the PTI spokesperson.
In response to Hasan’s statement, Islamabad police refuted his objections to the FIR. A police spokesperson asserted that the FIR’s content was based on a written request signed and thumb-printed by Hasan in the presence of his legal team. The police urged Hasan to substantiate any discrepancies between the FIR and his initial application, asserting that the case was filed under appropriate charges.
The federal government has formed a committee to investigate the attack on Hasan following the registration of an FIR with charges of murder and attempted murder, as confirmed by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar. A police investigation team has also been appointed. Tarar condemned the attack on Hasan, deeming it “regrettable and sad,” and emphasized that such incidents should not occur.
Earlier this week, a group of around four people, reportedly transgender persons, assaulted and injured Hasan in Islamabad, sparking strong condemnation from PTI. However, the motive behind the attack by transgender individuals remains unclear.
A video shared by PTI depicted Hasan asking for a doctor, with visible injuries and blood on his face, as he entered a building.
