Pakistani authorities have detained nearly 1,000 supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan following violent protests in Islamabad, according to the city’s police chief. Demonstrators had stormed the capital earlier this week demanding Khan’s release.
Islamabad Police Chief Ali Rizvi stated yesterday that 600 protesters were apprehended during a Tuesday night operation, bringing the total number of arrests since the protests began on Sunday to 954. Rizvi denied allegations that live ammunition was used, asserting that the operation, conducted with paramilitary forces, cleared the protest site in hours.
Weapons, including automatic rifles and tear gas guns, were reportedly confiscated during the crackdown. Rizvi said the operation aimed to restore order in the capital, where thousands had gathered near the high-security Red Zone.
Allegations of Excessive Force
Imran Khan’s aides have accused authorities of using disproportionate force against what they describe as peaceful demonstrators. Ali Amin Gandapur, a senior member of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s chief minister, claimed that “hundreds” of protesters sustained gunshot wounds during the overnight operation.
“Both Imran Khan’s wife and I were directly attacked,” Gandapur said during a press conference in Mansehra, though he escaped the clashes unscathed. Khan’s wife, Bushra Khan, also avoided injury but did not appear at the press conference as planned.
The PTI initially announced an end to the protest, calling it a response to what it described as a “massacre,” but Gandapur later contradicted this, stating the demonstrations would continue unless called off by Khan himself.
Conflicting Reports on Casualties
The PTI claims that at least six people—four paramilitary soldiers and two protesters—were killed during the clashes. However, the Interior Ministry rejected these allegations, stating there were no verified reports of fatalities. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi urged PTI to provide evidence of live fire but maintained that no credible proof had been presented.
On social media, unverified images and videos purportedly showing deceased protesters circulated widely. Local media, including Geo News and ARY, reported that security forces raided protest sites in the darkness, deploying a heavy barrage of tear gas to disperse demonstrators.
Capital Restored, Economic Woes Persist
By Wednesday, Islamabad authorities had cleared the Red Zone, which houses key government buildings and diplomatic missions. City workers were seen removing barricades and debris, while the charred remains of vehicles used by protesters, including one belonging to Bushra Khan, remained.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the protests, highlighting their economic toll on the struggling nation. He stated during a televised cabinet meeting that the demonstrations were costing the economy Rs190 billion ($680 million) daily.
Despite the turmoil, Pakistan’s benchmark share index rebounded by more than 5% yesterday after dropping 3.6% the day prior due to the unrest.
