Islamabad witnessed violent clashes on Tuesday as supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan broke through security barricades, defying a lockdown of the capital. The protest, aimed at demanding Khan’s release, has resulted in at least six deaths, including four members of the security services and one civilian. The situation escalated when protesters, angered by the government’s refusal to release Khan, battled security forces and ignored a government warning to respond with gunfire.
In one tragic incident, a vehicle rammed into a group of security personnel, killing four members of the forces. In another, a police officer lost his life in the escalating unrest. While no group has claimed responsibility for the ramming incident, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, calling the perpetrators an “anarchist group” deliberately targeting law enforcement.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi issued a stern warning, declaring a shoot-at-sight order for any protesters who fired weapons at security forces. “If they again fire bullets, the bullet will be responded with the bullet,” Naqvi said in a late-night statement, signaling the government’s intention to use live ammunition. The situation has rapidly escalated, with police deploying tear gas to disperse protesters, though violent confrontations have continued.
As the protests intensified, dozens of injuries were reported, including several journalists. Supporters of Khan attacked an Associated Press videographer, who was injured and required medical treatment after being struck on the head. The violent protests have severely disrupted media coverage, with local outlets shifting focus to security measures and the increasingly deserted streets of Islamabad.
Imran Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in 2022 and has been imprisoned since August 2023 on corruption charges, remains a popular figure. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), claims that the charges against him are politically motivated. Authorities insist that only the courts have the authority to release Khan, who faces over 150 criminal cases.
Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, has taken up the leadership of the protests, calling for peaceful demonstrations while urging protesters to march toward the Red Zone in the heart of Islamabad. “If Khan is not released, we will announce further actions,” she said, appealing to the government not to harm peaceful demonstrators.
Despite repeated arrests of more than 4,000 Khan supporters since Friday and the suspension of mobile and internet services in parts of the country, the protests have continued to grow. Police had previously imposed a ban on rallies in the capital, threatening arrests for any violations. With roads clogged by shipping containers and educational institutions closed, travel between Islamabad and other cities has become nearly impossible.
The protest’s intensity has been fueled by PTI’s reliance on social media and messaging platforms like WhatsApp to organize and spread information. Although the X platform (formerly Twitter) is banned in Pakistan, the disruption of mobile internet services has made communication increasingly difficult for Khan’s supporters.
The unrest in Islamabad comes at a sensitive time, coinciding with an official visit by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, further complicating the already tense situation in the capital.
As the violence continues to unfold, all eyes remain on the government’s response and the potential for further escalation if Khan’s release is not secured.