Ammar Ibad Farooq, the seven-year-old son of incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ticket holder Mian Ibad Farooq, passed away at a hospital in Lahore, ARY News reported.
His death drew strong criticism from people on social media, who blamed the state for harassing the boy's family.
Farooq's brother told news outlets that Ammar had been undergoing treatment in Lahore recently for what his family described were neurologically linked illnesses. It was unclear whether Ammar's condition predated May 9
He was laid to rest in Lahore late on Monday, with a large number of people attending the funeral.
His father was allegedly involved in the May 9 attack on Jinnah House and is currently in custody pending trial.
The authorities had intercepted an audio message in which he allegedly informed PTI activists that he had reached the Lahore Corps Commander House along with party leader Yasmeen Rashid, Ijaz Chaudhry and Mahmoodur Rasheed, among others and urged activists to storm the property.
He is among those PTI workers who are currently in military custody awaiting a trial in a military court.
Upon learning of his son's deteriorating health, he sent a message to motivate his child.
#JusticeforAmmar
Following news of Ammar's death, #JusticefoAmmar and Ammar started trending on social media.
Users termed it as a "senseless loss" and that his death was allegedly the result of state excesses.
The death of a child , is deeply disturbing. If Ammar’s senseless loss doesn’t shake up the inner core of Pakistanis & doesn’t wake up the conscience , then nothing else will. #JusticeForAmmar pic.twitter.com/aFwiNbpcoi
— Salman Ahmad (@sufisal) September 18, 2023
Some claimed that the boy passed due to the trauma caused by the state's alleged 'brutality.'
Ammar Farooq, young son of PTI activist Ibad Farooq died on 18th September after suffering from trauma due to the regime’s brutality against his family.
— Aaina Saaf (@AainaSaaf) September 19, 2023
Please share this as widely as possible tagging news outlets and international journalists.#JusticeforAmmar pic.twitter.com/rBN0u0jB6p
Other said that he had a pre-existing condition that led to his passing.
The child had some complicated neurological disorder that needed treatment abroad but his father was picked up and denied bail https://t.co/1xiQj3mGzm
— faraz (@faraz_lhr) September 18, 2023
Some claimed that Farooq was released briefly on compassionate grounds to visit his ailing son but was rearrested shortly after the funeral.
The Imam just cried during the funeral of Ammar.#JusticeforAmmar #بچوں_کے_قاتل pic.twitter.com/uMFBHcS4WY
— Matin Khan (@matincantweet) September 19, 2023
In an official statement, the PTI expressed deep sorrow and grief over the young boy's passing and termed it a "brutal murder" and held the "barbaric system" responsible for it.
"By abolishing the supremacy of the constitution and law, political workers and their families have been forced to suffer in this country," the statement read.
They demanded an investigation into the conduct of the caretaker chief minister, health minister and inspector general of police should be specially investigated.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf expresses deep sorrow and grief over the death of young Ammar. Pakistan is currently in the grip of the worst state oppression and fascism. PTI Press Release https://t.co/snWNKkvzJp#JusticeforAmmar pic.twitter.com/hAb1RNwdQT
— PTI (@PTIofficial) September 18, 2023
Others claimed that at least one hospital had refused treatment.
The people of Ittifaq Hospital had refused to treat Amar saying that the child's father belongs to PTI
— Matin Khan (@matincantweet) September 18, 2023
You take it somewhere else,they took twenty to five lac rupees. After that,the child was not admitted to any hospital! Advocate Salman Shahid's disclosure.#JusticeforAmmar pic.twitter.com/oxhWUzRGXV
Actor and PTI supporter Mishi Khan posted a condolence message over Ammar's passing.
Devastating news of the passing away of the little Angel Ammar My heartfelt condolences to his family. This is utter cruelty & criminal . I wish he could meet his father. Ya Allah Reham. Daro Allah SWT ky qehar sy zaalimo #JusticeforAmmar pic.twitter.com/mDoZMu9PDc
— Mishi khan (@mishilicious) September 18, 2023