By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - Islamabad awoke to an uneasy calm following a tumultuous night marred by violence and tragedy. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has accused government forces of killing 20 of its workers during a crackdown late Tuesday night. The allegations, which the government denies, have added to the political tension gripping the nation.

The capital, which had been a hotspot for protests and clashes, saw a heavy deployment of law enforcement to maintain order. Roads that were previously blocked by demonstrations reopened, and businesses resumed operations, but the tension in the air was palpable.

In a press conference on Wednesday morning, senior PTI leaders alleged that security forces had used excessive force against peaceful demonstrators. They claimed that tear gas, baton charges, and live ammunition were used to disperse the crowd, resulting in casualties.

"So far we have the information of killing our 20 workers and data of 8 people now avalible with us while the remaining we are collecting." Salman Akram Raja said in a video message.

“These were innocent workers exercising their democratic right to protest,” a PTI spokesperson said. “The government’s brutal actions have turned Islamabad into a battlefield.”

PTI leaders also called for an independent investigation into the alleged killings and announced plans to hold nationwide protests in response.

Government’s Denial

The government has rejected PTI’s accusations, labeling them as baseless and politically motivated. A spokesperson for the Interior Ministry stated that law enforcement acted in accordance with the law to prevent chaos and protect public property.

However, the government rejected the claims and said forces have not fired on any worker.

“There was no use of live ammunition,” a government spokesperson said. “The government is committed to ensuring peace and stability, but it will not allow anyone to disrupt public order.”

Authorities confirmed that several protesters were arrested during the crackdown but denied any deaths occurred.

So far, 954 people arrested by Islamabad police while over 11,00 arrested by Punjab police since Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the allegations have sparked outrage among PTI supporters, with social media platforms flooded with calls for justice and condemnation of the government’s actions. At the same time, many Islamabad residents expressed relief that the city had returned to relative normalcy, though concerns about further unrest remain.

“I’m worried about what’s next,” said Naila Ahmed, a shopkeeper in the Blue Area. “It feels like we’re sitting on a time bomb. Any small incident could escalate again.”

The accusations and denials highlight the deepening political divide in Pakistan. PTI’s demand for justice is likely to escalate tensions, potentially leading to further confrontations in the days to come.

International observers have called for restraint from all sides, urging dialogue to resolve the crisis. Meanwhile, Islamabad braces for what could be another wave of political drama, as the fallout from Tuesday night continues to unfold.

For now, the city remains on edge, its calm a fragile veneer over the simmering discontent beneath.

Meanwhile, Australian Senator Fatima Pyman also called on Australian government to impose sanctions on those who resonsible for violation of human righst and used of forces against the peaceful protesters in Pakistan.