[Testimonial by Shahzeb Ul Haq Malik on
#AzadiSquare Movement, including the experience of the night of Shelling and tear gas attack]
My Name is Shahzeb Malik and I have a middle management role in marketing department of one of the teleco companies in Pakistan, I have been part of the dharna from 15th Aug 7pm, we received Khan sb in Islamabad and listened to him near Fajar time in rain on sports complex chowk.
Cut to the night when Khan sb announced that we will peacefully move the dharna outside Prime minister house, Khan sb said police has given us way and we will sing patriotic songs and move peacefully.. In the middle of the way we get this strange smell as something is burning.. Soon we realize that we were bluffed by the police and they started shelling heavily when we were in the middle, obviously not prepared for this.. I heard women children screaming and running around, few down on the road suffocated.. God bless few PAT members who helped us with salt and water as we had decided that come what may we will give our life but won’t leave Khan sb or our movement..
I was working closely with DJ butt to keep our youth force motivated and kept requesting the police to stop the brutality , I myself saw at least 4 dead bodies being carried to the ambulance and early morning a PTI youngster who was found floating in Metro Dugout.. They used real bullets and at least 10 shells per min most of the night but were unable to move us back as we had decided to fight for our right. Police was stronger and much more in numbers but they couldn’t match our courage and we were fighting for a cause while they were forced to be brutal with peaceful protestors. PFA Pictures of proceeding that night and next morning are attached that I was able to capture with my mobile camera.. Seeing people from all walks of life women, Uncles (including Cha cha cricket) face that brutality and yet staying peaceful made my resolve to fight till my last breath against this hijacked system even stronger.. Hai Haq Hamara Azadi.. Hum Lae K Rahae Gai Azadi! They CAN NOT stop this movement now no matter what they do, no matter how brutal they become..
My wife and I get funds from our friends and family on daily basis to buy fruits, milk, water and food for PTI Dharna participants, our families help us make small packs of the daily supplies which we distribute every day at dharna, I have joined my office again but go straight to the house to pick supplies and join the dharna till Khan sbs last address everyday arounf 12 midnight!