The call for protests had gained momentum with allegations of brutality from the government, yet a swift police response led to the cessation of demonstrations in Pakistan's capital.
**Imran Khan's Supporters Halt Demonstrations Amid Government Crackdown**
**Imran Khan's Supporters Halt Demonstrations Amid Government Crackdown**
Supporters of the incarcerated former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, temporarily end protests following violent clashes with security forces.
With tensions escalating in Islamabad, opposition supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan have announced a temporary halt to their protests, citing the harsh response from government forces as a primary reason. The unrest, which began on a Sunday, had seen protesters attempting to converge on central Islamabad, pledging to remain until the release of Khan, who has been imprisoned for over a year on charges deemed politically motivated.
On Tuesday, the situation intensified as demonstrators, having managed to bypass police barricades towards Democracy Square, were met with a fierce police crackdown. Security personnel deployed tear gas and engaged in violent clashes, resulting in the deaths of at least six individuals, including four security officers and two civilians. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party condemned the government's actions, characterizing them as "brutality" and declaring a "temporary suspension" of protests.
According to PTI officials, over 500 supporters were arrested during the confrontation, and they reported casualties among their ranks; anonymity was requested for the sources at a local hospital where reports indicated the arrival of multiple gunshot victims. The government, however, maintained that police had refrained from using live ammunition against the protesters.
Amid a heavy security presence in Islamabad, which was under lockdown, key figures from the PTI, including Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi and leader Ali Amin Gandapur, had attempted to rally supporters. Reports later surfaced indicating that both figures had left the capital after the escalation of violence. Protesters had rallied in response to Khan's "final" call to action, urging them to continue their struggle until their demands for his release were realized.
Historically, D-Chowk has served as a focal point for significant political protests, but as night fell on Tuesday, law enforcement had succeeded in dispersing those present, leaving only security personnel in the aftermath. While Khan remains a pivotal figure in Pakistani politics, leading the PTI who, despite being barred from official candidacy in the last election, still managed to become the largest faction, they maintain claims of electoral malpractice to challenge the current government’s legitimacy.
On Tuesday, the situation intensified as demonstrators, having managed to bypass police barricades towards Democracy Square, were met with a fierce police crackdown. Security personnel deployed tear gas and engaged in violent clashes, resulting in the deaths of at least six individuals, including four security officers and two civilians. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party condemned the government's actions, characterizing them as "brutality" and declaring a "temporary suspension" of protests.
According to PTI officials, over 500 supporters were arrested during the confrontation, and they reported casualties among their ranks; anonymity was requested for the sources at a local hospital where reports indicated the arrival of multiple gunshot victims. The government, however, maintained that police had refrained from using live ammunition against the protesters.
Amid a heavy security presence in Islamabad, which was under lockdown, key figures from the PTI, including Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi and leader Ali Amin Gandapur, had attempted to rally supporters. Reports later surfaced indicating that both figures had left the capital after the escalation of violence. Protesters had rallied in response to Khan's "final" call to action, urging them to continue their struggle until their demands for his release were realized.
Historically, D-Chowk has served as a focal point for significant political protests, but as night fell on Tuesday, law enforcement had succeeded in dispersing those present, leaving only security personnel in the aftermath. While Khan remains a pivotal figure in Pakistani politics, leading the PTI who, despite being barred from official candidacy in the last election, still managed to become the largest faction, they maintain claims of electoral malpractice to challenge the current government’s legitimacy.
