PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi strongly condemned the provincial government’s violent crackdown on a Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) protest in Peshawar, calling it an "undemocratic act" and proof of the ruling party’s panic. He stated that the massive public participation in the "Save the Province" movement protest had left the provincial government unsettled. The shelling on peaceful demonstrators, he said, was evidence of PPP’s success and public popularity. The governor praised the party’s leadership and workers for their resilience.  

 

During the protest organized by the PPP in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa against the PTI-led government, workers were met with shelling and tear gas by PTI supporters. The violent clashes saw unarmed protesters being targeted, raising serious concerns over political repression. PTI Chairman Imran Khan has repeatedly referred to the Taliban as "brothers," and today’s aggression has further exposed the party’s extremist mindset, critics argue. The attack reportedly began while the PPP’s Secretary-General was addressing the crowd, signaling a deliberate attempt to suppress dissent.  

 

PPP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Syed Mohammad Ali Shah Bacha remained steadfast among workers despite heavy shelling. Expressing gratitude to the protesters, he vowed to hold the government accountable for every bullet fired at peaceful demonstrators. He announced that central and provincial party leaders would hold a press conference tomorrow to outline their next course of action, urging workers to stay prepared for further resistance.  

 

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari strongly denounced the attack on the party’s rally in Peshawar, calling it a desperate attempt by the PTI-led provincial government to hide its corruption and failures. He stated that the use of tear gas and baton charges against peaceful protesters opposing lawlessness and unemployment was shameful. Bilawal asserted that the PPP would not be intimidated by such tactics and would continue to challenge the "corrupt and incompetent" provincial administration.  

 

He further emphasized that the "Save the Province" movement had become the voice of every citizen in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The PPP, he said, would not back down from confronting the oppressive tactics of the government, and its workers were ready to stand firm against tyranny. He accused the PTI government of revealing its "fascist face" to the people of the province through its brutal crackdown.