A group of approximately four individuals, appearing to be transgender persons, attacked and injured Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokesperson Raoof Hasan in Islamabad on Tuesday. The incident drew strong condemnation from his party.
In a message on social media platform X, PTI acknowledged the attack on Hasan, terming it “extremely shameful and deplorable.” Videos shared with the statement show Hasan with injuries and blood on his face, asking for medical help as he walks into a building.
In another statement, PTI expressed concerns about public safety, stating that if the “largest party” spokesperson can be attacked in the federal capital in broad daylight, then “what can we make of the safety of others?”
CCTV footage circulating on social media shows Hasan being attacked by a group of apparent transgender persons using a sharp object. The footage reveals an apparent transgender person interrupting Hasan while he was walking and engaging him in a brief conversation.
Sensing danger, Hasan tried to step back, but the attacker grabbed him by the collar. Along with three others, the attacker began thrashing him, dispersing only after a passerby intervened.
The footage also shows someone filming the entire incident. It is unclear whether the attackers were genuinely transgender persons or disguised as such.
