Clashes were reported between the PTI members and the police throughout the day on Friday. (Photo: PTI Party/X)
Pakistan’s Islamabad remained tense for a second day on Saturday after clashes between security forces and former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party a day ago. The PTI is organizing protest rallies to demand the release of Khan and other party leaders, braving heavy police blockades and road closures. Saturday’s protest march coincided with Khan’s birthday.
PTI took to X (formerly Twitter) to share videos claiming security forces used tear gas against protesters. In Islamabad, mobile services remained suspended, while major roads and access points were blocked by containers. A similar situation was seen in Rawalpindi, which borders Islamabad, The Dawn reported.
Why is Imran Khan calling for protests?
Despite the situation, Khan called on his supporters to continue their march to D Chowk in Islamabad. In a message on I also ask our people from Punjab to move towards Minar i Pakistan in Lahore. If they can’t get there, they should join the protests in their cities.” The cricketer turned politician further stated, “This is a fight for Haqeeqi Azadi so that we can truly live as free citizens in our country within the Constitution and rule of law as envisioned by our founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah.”
The Dawn reported that numerous PTI activists participated at various locations, ignoring security orders. Section 144, which bans public gatherings, was also enforced at D Chowk.
This came a day after clashes between the PTI members and police were reported all day on Friday, with incidents of stone pelting and tear gas exchanges. Schools in both cities also remained closed for a second day. To prevent the protests from advancing towards the capital, security forces took measures such as digging trenches and placing iron nails in the roads.
Pakistani government accuses attempt to ‘sabotage SCO’
Pakistan’s Interior Ministry said hundreds of people were arrested after Friday’s clash, which injured “80 to 85 police officers.” Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the government will not allow the upcoming intergovernmental summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Islamabad to be ‘sabotaged’. The SCO summit is scheduled for October 15 and 16 and will be hosted by Pakistan for the first time. Besides Khan’s release, the PTI is also raising issues such as inflation and the independence of the judiciary.
First publication: Oct 5, 2024 | 5:25 PM IST