Pakistan Protests Turn Violent: Four Security Personnel Killed in Clashes with Police

AFP | Islamabad
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Protests demanding the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan turned violent in Pakistan yesterday, with four security personnel killed during clashes with demonstrators in Islamabad. The protests, organized by Khan's supporters, have escalated since Sunday as thousands of protesters marched to the capital, defying a government ban on public gatherings.

The protesters, primarily supporters of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, have been engaging in skirmishes with police and paramilitary forces. Security forces have been firing rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowds, but the protesters, some armed with sticks and slingshots, have continued their advance. Khan, who has been imprisoned since last summer, has faced a series of legal challenges, which he claims are politically motivated to prevent his return to power.

The protest reached a peak yesterday as more than 10,000 demonstrators gathered just one mile from the government enclave, demanding Khan's immediate release. The violence claimed the lives of four members of a paramilitary force, who were run over by a vehicle, according to the government. One police officer also lost their life in unrest on Monday.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the violence, calling the protests "extremism" and stressing that the demonstrators were not seeking peaceful reform, but rather chaos. Despite the government's stance, PTI lawmakers and protest leaders argue that the state’s response has been disproportionate, accusing the government of treating its citizens as enemies.

The protests have also disrupted daily life in Islamabad, with mobile internet outages, school closures, and a heavy presence of security forces across the city. Amnesty International has condemned the use of excessive force by law enforcement, calling it a violation of the right to peaceful assembly.

The political crisis surrounding Khan’s incarceration has grown, with his supporters continuing to demand his release and protest the alleged rigging of recent elections. PTI has also voiced opposition to a constitutional amendment backed by the government that they argue grants more power to the military and undermines the judiciary.

As Pakistan faces growing unrest, the situation remains tense, with no resolution in sight. The PTI’s struggle against the ruling government has intensified, and the violence seen yesterday is likely to fuel further clashes in the coming days.