Pakistan's security forces have been accused of pushing a person praying on top of a container during protests. Imran Khan's party PTI claimed it was the most brutal of several instances of brutality by security forces during the protests.
Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) reported that the man was offering prayers on top of a container. A security officer then approached him and 'brutally threw him from a height of three floors'. However, the physical condition of the person is not known at present.
BBC Verify confirmed that the incident took place on Tuesday (November 26) at the corner of Jinnah and Ataturk Avenues in Islamabad. where the protesters gathered.
In the video, a member of the Pakistani Rangers (a paramilitary force) carrying riot control shields approached the praying man and pushed him away. The man was trying to grab the edge of the container, but then fell down.
BBC Verify verified the video. They have confirmed that the video shared on social media and the photo of the incident published in 'Getty Images' have been found to match that video.
Bushra Bibi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur led the protest that started last Sunday (November 24) in Pakistan. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN)-led government deployed the army in Islamabad to quell the protests. The army was also ordered to shoot on sight. However, PTI alleges that around 1,000 leaders and workers have been arrested on the way.
After reaching Islamabad on Wednesday (November 27), paramilitary forces opened fire to disperse the protesters. PTI alleged that at least eight workers were killed. However, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said, 'No shots were fired in the protest and no body came to the hospital. PTI leaders say that 10 to 200 people were killed but this is not true.'
The Pakistani government termed Imran Khan's protest as 'corpse politics'.
After three consecutive days of tension, the protest program was canceled after Imran's supporters reached the Red Zone D-Chok area of the capital Islamabad last Wednesday (November 27).
