Pakistan Police Disperse Imran Khan Supporters, Ending Islamabad Protes

Pakistan Police Disperse Imran Khan Supporters

Pakistan’s security forces launched a decisive operation to remove supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from Islamabad, ending a four-day lockdown that had disrupted the capital. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed on Wednesday that roads connecting Islamabad to the rest of the country had been reopened following the overnight crackdown.

The protesters, led by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, had been demanding the release of the cricketer-turned-politician, who has been jailed since August 2023. Authorities reported that nearly 1,000 demonstrators were arrested during the operation, which police claimed involved no use of lethal force. However, PTI alleged that hundreds of protesters were shot, with eight killed—a claim denied by the government.

Key Khan ally and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur accused authorities of using excessive force, while PTI announced a “temporary suspension” of the protests. PTI leader Mohammad Asim said the party would strategize its next move after consultations.

The crackdown came after protesters, reportedly numbering more than 10,000, clashed with security forces near Islamabad’s Red Zone, a high-security area housing government buildings and embassies. Four paramilitary soldiers were among those killed in the confrontation. Late on Tuesday, the army took control of D-Chowk, a prominent square in the Red Zone, dispersing the demonstrators.

Bushra Bibi, Khan’s wife and a prominent figure in the protest, led a convoy that broke through security barriers before the crackdown. Police are now reportedly seeking her arrest, though she has safely returned to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province alongside Gandapur.

The protest marks the latest in a series of demonstrations by Khan’s supporters, who allege his legal troubles are politically motivated to thwart his political comeback in highly contested upcoming elections. Since the protests began, authorities have detained more than 4,000 PTI supporters and temporarily suspended mobile and internet services in parts of the country. These services have now been restored.

The government’s firm response underscores the escalating tensions as Pakistan approaches its next election cycle, with Khan’s detention serving as a rallying point for his supporters.