Seven Dead, Dozens Injured In Pakistan
Seven people have died and dozens are injured in Pakistan. This follows clashes between supporters of Imran Khan and security forces in Islamabad on Tuesday. The protesters broke through security barriers and rushed into the capital. They demanded the release of the former prime minister, who is currently imprisoned.
A security lockdown was imposed in Islamabad for three days. This was after Khan called for his supporters to march on parliament. By Tuesday morning, around 100,000 protesters had pushed past barriers. They were heading toward the “red zone”—an area with government buildings and foreign embassies that is heavily guarded.
Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, and his key aide, Ali Amin Gandapur, led the protest. Many supporters joined from provinces like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. As the crowd approached D-Chowk—a central area in the capital—police and paramilitary forces responded with rubber bullets and tear gas. Despite this, the protesters continued to advance toward their goal.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party is calling for Khan’s release. They accuse the government of politically motivated charges against him, including corruption and inciting violence. Khan was ousted from power in 2022 after a disagreement with the military. He faces several legal issues, which he and his supporters claim are unfounded.
One supporter, Ibrar Khan from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, expressed his loyalty to Khan. He stated, “We are ready to sacrifice our lives for Khan but won’t leave without him.” The government had warned that they would take extreme measures to stop the protesters from reaching the red zone, possibly involving military action, but the crowd remained firm in their resolve.
Clashes outside the capital became deadly. One police officer was shot, and at least 119 others were harmed. Four Rangers paramilitary officers were reportedly killed after being run over by PTI protesters. The PTI claimed that two of their supporters were killed by police gunfire.
Authorities have made over 80 arrests, while PTI claims around 5,000 of its supporters were detained on their way to the capital. Schools were closed, and public gatherings in Islamabad were banned as tensions rose.
This protest is referred to by Khan as the “final call.” It is just one of many demonstrations since his imprisonment in August last year. A previous protest in October also turned violent, reflecting the rising tensions between Khan’s supporters and the government.
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