Security Forces Repel Imran Khan Supporters in Capital

Security forces repelled supporters of jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan on Tuesday after they reached the core of the heavily-barricaded capital. The convoy of opposition protesters had been advancing towards Islamabad’s D Chowk, also known as Democracy Square, since the weekend, with demands including Khan’s release. A total of at least six individuals died – comprising four paramilitary soldiers and two protesters – as the march progressed through the city, encountering clashes with security forces at various locations. Nevertheless, some protesters managed to reach D Chowk, where they were observed climbing over shipping containers positioned to obstruct their path. However, within hours of the protesters arriving at the square, security forces successfully cleared the vicinity. With the onset of darkness, the lights were extinguished, leaving only police officers and paramilitary soldiers. According to a nearby police officer, certain protesters had advanced past the three-tier stack of shipping containers, though only for a few hundred metres before being repelled. Nonetheless, thousands of Khan’s supporters persist in the area; to combat the biting cold, protesters have begun igniting paper and other items within rubbish bins. Numerous individuals have also resorted to burning grass and bushes on the footpaths and greenbelts where crowds have assembled. Muhammad Shahid, who traveled with his family from Punjab province, stated their presence was due to Imran Khan’s message: “He says we must fight for our rights.” He further elaborated: “We’re here to stand up for our fundamental rights. Imran Khan has been illegally arrested, and we will fight to make our voices heard.” Khan, incarcerated for over a year on charges he claims are politically motivated, has implored his supporters not to surrender, encouraging them to proceed towards D Chowk. “My message to my team is to fight till the end, we will not back down,” the former prime minister conveyed on X. Despite his incarceration, the former cricket star has demonstrated significant influence in Pakistan politics. In the February elections, his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which was prohibited from participating and compelled to field candidates as independents, emerged as the largest single bloc. Nevertheless, they failed to secure a majority, and their adversaries coalesced to establish a new government. Consequently, protesters are also demanding the annulment of election results, which they allege were rigged – a contention the government disputes. Khan had urged his supporters to commence street protests over the weekend, issuing a “final call” and instructing them to remain in the capital until their demands are satisfied. The government, which had previously implemented a ban on public gatherings, reacted by obstructing Islamabad’s streets with shipping containers and transporting police personnel from various regions of the country. Additionally, restrictions seemed to have been imposed on certain internet services, while educational institutions like schools and colleges were closed due to concerns about potential violence. Pakistan’s interior minister stated that the protesters were offered an alternative location for their demonstration but declined it. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who attributed the deaths of four soldiers on Tuesday to the protesters, characterized the march as “extremism.” “These disruptive elements do not seek revolution but bloodshed,” he declared in a statement. Zulfikar Bukhari, spokesman for Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party, informed news agency Reuters that a minimum of two protesters had died – one from a gunshot wound and another after being struck by a vehicle. A minimum of 50 individuals sustained injuries. Further reporting was contributed by Farhat Javed, Malik Mudassir, and Fakhir Munir in Islamabad.