Supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan have temporarily halted their protests calling for his release, following violent clashes with security forces in central Islamabad that left six people dead.
The protests, organized by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, escalated on Tuesday as demonstrators breached barriers to reach Democracy Square in the capital. Security forces responded with tear gas, pushing protesters back after intense confrontations. Among the fatalities were four security personnel and two civilians, according to local reports.
Clashes and Controversy
The PTI accused paramilitary forces of excessive force, citing an incident where a man was allegedly pushed off a stack of cargo containers by security personnel. Video footage, verified by the BBC, showed an officer approaching a man praying on top of the containers before shoving him off. The man’s condition remains unclear, and the Pakistani Rangers, a paramilitary force, have not commented on the incident.
PTI leaders claimed that several party workers were killed during the crackdown and called for an independent investigation. Meanwhile, sources at a nearby hospital told the BBC that four bodies with gunshot wounds had been brought in, although these reports have not been independently verified. The government has denied using firearms against protesters.
Protests Suspended Amid Crackdown
On Wednesday, PTI announced a temporary suspension of protests, citing the “government’s brutality.” Despite their initial determination to remain in the capital until Khan’s release, demonstrators were dispersed by Tuesday evening. Islamabad was placed under lockdown, with a heavy deployment of police and paramilitary forces to manage the situation.
Authorities reported the arrest of more than 500 PTI supporters, and Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti confirmed that Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, who had played a central role in leading the protests, had left the area. She and PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur reportedly returned to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, from where their convoy had originated.
Khan’s Influence Remains Strong
Khan, who has been imprisoned for over a year on charges he claims are politically motivated, continues to wield significant influence. In February’s elections, his PTI party, despite being banned and running candidates as independents, emerged as the largest bloc. However, they fell short of a majority, and a coalition of rival parties formed a government.
The PTI has since alleged electoral fraud and demanded the election results be overturned—a claim dismissed by the government.
While Tuesday’s protests marked a temporary pause, tensions remain high as Khan’s supporters await further instructions. Their efforts to reach D-Chowk, a historic site for political rallies, were thwarted, leaving the square under heavy security and the fate of their movement uncertain.
