A group of around four people, apparently transgender persons, attacked and injured Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) spokesperson Raoof Hasan in Islamabad on Tuesday, drawing strong condemnation from his party.
“Extremely shameful and deplorable,” PTI said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, adding: “Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan attacked by unknown persons outside the office of a private channel.”
It is, however, unclear why did the persons attack the politician.
In the video shared along with the statement, Hasan could be heard asking people to call the doctor, with injuries and blood seen on his face as he walked into a building.
PTI, in another statement, said if the spokesperson of the “largest party” can be attacked in the federal capital in broad daylight, then “what can we make of the safety of others”.
According to the CCTV footage, Hasan can be seen being attacked by a group of apparent transgender persons, who used a sharp object as well.
The footage shows Hasan was interrupted by an apparent transgender person while he was walking on the side of a road, subsequently, the attacker engaged in conversation with the PTI leader for a few seconds.
After a brief conversation, the PTI chief spokesperson tried to take a few steps back, seemingly sensing danger.
However, the attacker grabbed the PTI leader from his collar and along with three other apparently transgender persons began thrashing him. The attackers were only dispersed after the intervention of a passerby.