On November 25, members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party demonstrated in Hasan Abdal, Punjab province, calling for the release of former prime minister Imran Khan.
Following the protesters that burst over barricades and assembled in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, they demanded the release of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Pakistani security forces conducted an operation at night on Tuesday to disperse the thousands of supporters.
After Khan urged his followers to march on parliament, authorities took several measures to prevent the demonstrators from reaching the capital. Protestors blocked the main routes leading to the capital, implemented internet outages, and enforced a security lockdown in the whole of Pakistan.
Protesters may stay outside of Islamabad, (the capital of Pakistan) Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters. If they go inside, he warned, he would take drastic measures.
In the face of tear gas and allegations of mass arrests, demonstrators defied the warnings. They marched towards the city’s high-security red zone. Once they reached the red zone, they engaged in combat with security personnel.
According to reports, the unrest claimed the lives of several people, primarily security personnel.
In a message posted on X on Wednesday, Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), announced that they would suspend the protests “for the time being.”
Here’s what you should know.
What’s going on?
As part of a long march, a convoy of cars carrying demonstrators left Peshawar on Sunday. Their destination was the capital, which is approximately 180 kilometers (110 miles) away.
The demonstrators intended to stage a sit-in at D-Chowk. This area is close to the nation’s parliament. Bushra Bibi, Khan’s wife, and Ali Amin Gandapur, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, were leading the protest. The PTI is still in power in the northwest province.
On Monday, protesters broke through a two-day security lockdown and a rally prohibition to arrive on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan. Police used tear gas to disperse crowds along the route. They also barricaded highways with shipping containers to prevent crowds from surging through.
Video showed multiple flames on the highway and a burning police post. According to Reuters, 22 police cars were set on fire in Punjab province and just outside of Islamabad.
The Associated Press reports that at least six people were murdered in Tuesday’s protests, including four security officials.
Five people have died, including one civilian and four security personnel.
Five persons have died, the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences confirmed to CNN. Among the deceased are four security officials and one civilian. During the protests, a car crashed into them, according to several sources who spoke to CNN.
By Tuesday morning, demonstrators had crossed the city limits. They marched to D-Chowk, where soldiers were visible outside the Secretariat, the Supreme Court, and the parliament, among other important government facilities.
Security forces arrested hundreds of individuals during a raid to remove demonstrators at midnight, according to the AP.
PTI later canceled the protests “because of the government’s brutality,” despite Khan’s insistence that his followers “fight to the end.”
Will there be further outcry from protesters in Pakistan?
Security forces had been shot, according to Pakistan’s interior minister Naqvi, although police were “showing restraint” with demonstrators.
Security personnel have been authorized to retaliate if demonstrators go too far. He warned them. He may take further actions, such as enforcing a curfew or sending in the military.
“After five minutes, no protesters will be present, and Rangers may start shooting,” Naqvi stated. “Anybody found here will be taken into custody.”
The PTI accuses the government of using disproportionate force. The PTI claims that bullets were fired at peaceful protesters. About two dozen protestors were hurt, according to the report.
CNN cannot independently verify the reports from both sides, and internet outages have made communication problems worse.
Authorities in Punjab have arrested thousands of Khan supporters. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, authorities have also arrested thousands of Khan supporters. Both actions were taken in recent days to stop the protest march.
Protesters are raising objections in Pakistan, but why?
Khan and others who support him are being held as political prisoners, and protesters are calling for their release. They seek to overturn a recent constitutional amendment that gave the government more authority to choose justices of the higher courts. They also aim to overturn the amendment that allows the government to decide which judges would hear political cases.
Additionally, Khan’s supporters term the February elections a “stolen mandate” and contend they were neither free nor fair.
The legislative assembly removed Khan as prime minister following the no-confidence vote in 2022. Since then, he has spearheaded a popular campaign against Prime Minister Sharif’s current administration. He claims that the administration conspired with the military to overthrow him.
The former popular cricket player is now a populist politician. Authorities have imprisoned him for more than a year. He is facing criminal proceedings related to accusations of corruption. His party also denies these allegations. He is also facing criminal proceedings related to allegations of state secret leaks. His party denies these allegations as well.
Khan and the PTI, the largest opposition party in the country, remain popular.
Khan and the PTI, the nation’s biggest opposition party, still enjoy popularity. The arrest of Khan has intensified an already heated conflict between his followers and the nation’s strong military.
Violence has erupted in other places. Khan has repeatedly called for his supporters to demand his release. As a result, they are urged to take to the streets.
Early in October, organizers arranged a march in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, demanding Khan’s release and transfer to Islamabad. The authorities responded with roadblocks, internet and mobile outages, and confrontations with the police.
The demonstrations take place during a delicate period for Pakistan. Pakistan has recently experienced dozens of fatalities from separatist insurgent strikes and sectarian bloodshed.
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