Thousands of supporters of the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, today (Tuesday) broke through barriers placed around the capital city of Islamabad, and confronted the security forces demanding his release from prison. The authorities declared a security lockdown throughout the country, blocked access to the Internet and blocked major roads leading to the capital city, with the aim of preventing the arrival of the demonstrators. The mass demonstrations are taking place against the background of Khan’s call to his supporters to march towards the parliament.
Pakistan’s interior minister, Mohsin Naqvi, told reporters that the protesters could stay on the outskirts of Islamabad, but warned of the consequences of their actions if they decided to enter the city.
A motorcade of protestors left the city of Peshawar on Sunday as part of a 180-kilometer “long march” to reach the capital city. The march was led by Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, and Ali Amin Gandpur, the governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where Khan’s party is still in power. The demonstrators planned to hold a protest strike in Square D, a central square near the Parliament.
Violent confrontations
On Monday, the protesters reached the outskirts of Islamabad, ignoring a two-day lockdown and a ban on demonstrations. On their way they confronted the police, who used tear gas and tried to block their way with cargo containers. Videos posted online showed a burning police station and several fire stations on a highway. According to a Reuters report, 22 police vehicles were set on fire outside Islamabad and in Punjab province.
The authorities said that at least one policeman was killed and several others were injured in the clashes, along with protesters who were injured. Doctors at the Pakistan Medical Institute reported to CNN five deaths, including four security personnel and one civilian. According to officials, a vehicle hit several people during the protests.
On Tuesday morning, the protesters managed to penetrate the city limits, with a large crowd marching in the center of Islamabad and moving towards Square D. Security forces, including soldiers, were seen outside key government buildings, including the parliament and the Supreme Court.
Thousands of supporters of the former Pakistani prime minister #ImranKhan entered this Tuesday at #Islamabadthe administrative capital of #Pakistan 🇵🇰, to demand his release.️
➡️ Clashes between security forces and demonstrators pic.twitter.com/hq4rptMbQI
— FRANCE 24 Français (@France24_fr) November 26, 2024
Interior Minister Naqvi said that the security forces are suffering gunshot wounds but are showing restraint. However, he warned that if the protesters cross the border, the security forces will receive permission to open fire and possibly even impose a curfew or deploy the army.
Calls for the release of Khan
Khan’s party, the Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), accused the government of using excessive force, claiming that “peaceful protesters” were fired upon. The party reported that dozens of protesters were injured. At the same time, thousands of Khan’s supporters were arrested in the provinces of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in order to prevent them from participating in the march. The authorities even disabled public transport and closed schools in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
The protesters are demanding the release of Khan and other political prisoners, as well as the repeal of a constitutional amendment that gives the government broad powers in selecting high court judges. Khan’s supporters also charge that the February elections were rigged.
Imran Khan, a former cricketer turned populist politician, was ousted in a no-confidence vote in 2022 and has since led a widespread campaign against Sharif’s government, which he says was working in coordination with the military to oust him. Khan has been in prison for more than a year, facing dozens of criminal cases related to corruption and leaking state secrets, which he denies. Public support for him remained high, and his imprisonment only exacerbated the conflicts between the army and its supporters.