- Pakistan’s army and police have been accused of firing on civilians, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries to hundreds of protesters who stormed Islamabad to demand the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan
- Army and paramilitary forces were deployed in large numbers with shoot-to-kill orders to prevent the crowds from reaching Islamabad’s Red Zone, which houses key government buildings
- PTI leaders claimed dozens of protesters were killed by police and army gunfire, while doctors in Islamabad hospitals confirmed receiving multiple patients with gunshot wounds, with some fatalities reported
- The violence drew criticism from human rights groups, such as the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, which urged PTI and the government to engage in dialogue for a peaceful resolution
ISLAMABAD, Nov 27(The Guardian):Islamabad witnessed violent clashes on Tuesday as tens of thousands of supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan stormed the capital, demanding his release from prison. The army and police have been accused of firing on civilians, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries to hundreds of protesters.
The protesters, defying government orders, attempted to reach Islamabad’s sensitive Red Zone, which houses the parliament, supreme court, and prime minister’s residence. In response, the army and paramilitary forces were deployed in large numbers with shoot-to-kill orders. The centre of the city, known as D-Chowk, became a battleground as protesters set shipping containers ablaze and security forces fired teargas, rubber bullets, and allegedly live ammunition.
By late night, a power blackout was imposed, and a major crackdown began. Army and paramilitary officers eventually succeeded in pushing Khan’s supporters out of the capital. Bushra Bibi, Khan’s wife and a political figurehead of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party (PTI), fled the scene.
On Wednesday, Islamabad remained clear of protesters, and PTI announced the suspension of the protest, citing government brutality. PTI leaders claimed dozens of protesters were killed by police and army gunfire, but these figures could not be independently verified. Official sources reported 17 civilian fatalities and hundreds of injuries.
Doctors in Islamabad hospitals confirmed receiving multiple patients with gunshot wounds. A doctor, who requested anonymity, reported treating over 40 injured patients, with at least seven fatalities and several in critical condition. The doctor also alleged attempts to cover up fatalities by confiscating records.
Among the injured was Bismillah Kaleem, who traveled with Khan’s wife from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Kaleem, who was shot in the chest, described the chaos as bullets rained down on their vehicle.
PTI chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, stated that nearly 1,000 protesters were arrested by Wednesday evening. Imran Khan, who has been in jail for over a year facing numerous charges, remains Pakistan’s most popular leader. He had called for his supporters to gather in Islamabad to demand his release, claiming the February election was rigged against PTI.
The violence drew criticism from human rights groups, with the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan urging PTI and the government to engage in dialogue for a peaceful resolution.
