Hospitals in Pakistan told to prepare for mass casualties before PTI protest
Indian media reported the order on Monday, but Pakistani officials have not confirmed it and no hospital names were given.
The Times of India and NDTV reported on Monday that hospitals in Pakistan have been directed to prepare for mass casualty events ahead of a planned protest march by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The reports were based on headlines and standfirsts; the full text was not immediately available.
The Times of India carried the story under the headline, 'Mass casualty' alert? Pakistan hospitals clear beds ahead of PTI protest. NDTV reported that hospitals had been ordered to prepare for 'mass casualty' ahead of the PTI march.
Neither outlet named the hospitals involved, the city or cities where the directive was issued, or the government department that issued the order. The reports also did not state when the protest march is scheduled or what level of casualties hospitals were told to expect.
There was no immediate confirmation from Pakistan's federal or provincial health authorities, and no Pakistani news outlet had independently reported the directive by the time of filing.
PTI, led by former prime minister Imran Khan, has held a series of protest marches and rallies over the past year, many of which have resulted in clashes with police and road closures. The party has demanded fresh elections and the release of its detained leaders.
The reported hospital alert appears to be a precautionary measure by authorities, but the lack of official confirmation means the scope and severity of any planned security response could not be verified independently.
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