On Tuesday thousands of supporters of Pakistan’s ousted prime minister Imran Khan arrived to the capital Islamabad to protest and scuffle with police demanding his freeing. The recent chaos came after Khan urged protesters to march to the parliament, fueling more troubles in a country struggling with political and economic problems.
The demonstrators, who came from Peshawar, have braved several measures associated with security, such as blocking of roads and shutting down the internet. The march led by Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi and a provincial leader wanted to stage a sit-in near parliament on the weekend. Fired by anger and determination the protesters overcame numerous barriers, including tents and barriers on the roads as well as tear gas by Monday night, they arrived on the outskirts of Islamabad, burning police posts and vehicles.
Protests have become violent with what is now blamed for five people’s death; four out of the five were security forces. The protesters then moved into Islamabad’s business and government districts after violating essential city landmarks. That is why there are guards, both soldiers as well as policemen, outside key objects – the parliament or the Supreme Court.
The incumbent Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government has threatened to impose curfew and military mobilization to counter the protest. Yesterday, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that forces are allowed to open fire if protesters increase violence.
The protests are attributed to the calls for Khan’s release and another constitutional change that his followers believe is political. They also accuse authorities of rigging February polls to ensure Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaf (PTI) of Imran Khan was locked out.
Imran khan, former Prime Minister removed through no confidence motion in 2022 has been incarcerated for over a year on several Offences of which he and his PTI party has denied. Many people support him; he has been arrested through politically motivated actions of the current government and the military.
The crisis contributes to more instability in Pakistan that has been experiencing increasing militant attacks and a worsening of economic problems. Education and transport continue to be closed down while many people have limited access to the internet. More clashes are expected in the capital of Georgia as protesters promise to continue the protests.
