According to the media, several members of Pakistan’s security forces have reportedly lost their lives as supporters of the jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan surged into the capital, Islamabad. The unrest unfolded when thousands defied a police lockdown, breaching blockades and confronting tear gas to enter the city.
Four security personnel were killed after being overrun by the vehicle in the ensuing chaos, government sources say. This influx of protestors comes as supporters of Khan’s PTI demand his release ahead of a court hearing on terrorism charges.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denounced the violence, referring to the actions as extremism and not a peaceful protest. “It is not a peaceful protest. It is extremism,” he declared, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar also reiterated this view, saying the protesters seemed determined to create anarchy, promising the leadership would not tolerate it: “No one will be spared.”
However, PTI spokesman Zulfikar Bukhari dismissed government claims, arguing that videos circulating on social media depict protesters protecting security personnel, not attacking them. “This is a narrative the government is trying to create to justify violence,” he said, vowing supporters would keep up their sit-in outside parliament until their demands – which include Khan’s release – are met.
Human rights organization Amnesty International criticised the government’s response as it stated, on X: “The law enforcement officials have used unlawful and excessive force” against the protesters. The organization underlined that such actions are a severe violation of the rights to peaceful assembly, movement, and expression.
The march into Islamabad follows two days of clashes as protesters approached the capital and the city administration imposed a two-month ban on public gatherings last week. Casualties were reported, but it wasn’t clear exactly how many died; there are unconfirmed reports that a civilian also died in the incident, besides a policeman in a separate incident.
Fears are growing that protesters are gaining the upper hand in the city, especially after warnings from the government of an imminent crackdown. There were conflicting reports from eyewitnesses over the deaths, with some suggesting it was a panicked security vehicle that sped away as protesters closed in.
Imran Khan was ousted in 2022 through a no-confidence vote and has served more than a year in prison following a corruption conviction, with more than 150 criminal cases still pending against him. His party has termed these cases politically motivated; the government functionaries say only the courts can decide about his release.
Police in an attempt to contain the unrest have arrested more than 4,000 supporters of Khan since Friday and mobile and internet services have been suspended in several areas. All educational institutions continue to remain shut, which adds to the mess.
On Thursday, a court banned rallies in the capital, threatening arrests of violators. Travelling to and from Islamabad has become almost impossible as the authorities have blocked roads using shipping containers; protesters succeeded in pushing them away on Tuesday.
