At least one police officer was killed and dozens injured in Pakistan on Monday when security forces clashed with supporters of jailed former rime minister Imran Khan on the outskirts of the capital, Islamabad, officials and Khan's party said. announced.
Authorities have imposed a security lockdown for the past two days and barricaded highways into the city after Khan called for a march to parliament for a sit-in demanding his release.
Provincial police chief Usman Anwar said one police officer was shot dead, at least 119 people were injured and 22 police vehicles were set on fire in clashes in various parts of Punjab, including on the outskirts of Islamabad. Two police officers are said to be in serious condition.
Khan's party said a number of its workers were also injured.
The newspaper said the jailed leader's third wife Bushra Bibi and key aide and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur were leading the march, which took place near Islamabad on Monday night. Arrived inside.
The government has used shipping containers to block major roads and streets in Islamabad, which are patrolled by police and militia members in riot gear.
All public transport between the city and the terminal has also been shut down in the eastern province to keep protesters away, officials and witnesses said.
State Information Minister Uzma Buhari said about 80 supporters of Mr Khan had been arrested.
Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told local Geo News TV that the government is seeking talks with Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Party (PTI) leaders to calm the situation. he said. “I have to say it was a sincere attempt, but nothing came of it,” he said.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said security forces had shown “extreme restraint” in confronting demonstrators, with some demonstrators firing live ammunition, but police fired rubber bullets. He said the only actions involved were the use of police personnel and the firing of tear gas.
“It's easy to respond to a bullet with a bullet,” he says.
He said the government had offered Khan's party permission to stage a sit-in protest in an open field on the outskirts of Islamabad, adding that party leaders had accepted the offer in Khan's cell, but added that “no I have not received a response,” he added. . ”
Naqvi added that protesters would not be allowed to go outside Parliament, and if the protests did not yield, the government would be forced to take “extreme” measures such as imposing a curfew and calling in the military. He warned that it might disappear.
“We won't let them cross any red lines,” he said.
But Mr Khan's party accused the government of using excessive force to stop demonstrators and said hundreds of workers and leaders had been arrested.
“They are also firing live ammunition,” Shaukat Yousafzai, one of Mr. Khan's close aides, told Geo News.
Reuters and local television footage showed police firing tear gas at Mr Khan's supporters, who were throwing stones and bricks.
Video showed vehicles and trees ablaze along the main procession on the outskirts of Islamabad, and protesters pushing shipping containers in some places.
Public gatherings are prohibited in Islamabad and all schools in the capital and neighboring city of Rawalpindi will remain closed on Monday and Tuesday, authorities announced.
The protest march, which Khan described as a “last call”, is one of many his party has held to call for his release since he was jailed in August last year. A recent party protest in Islamabad in early October turned violent.
Khan, who fell out with Pakistan's powerful military and was ousted in a parliamentary vote in 2022, faces charges ranging from corruption to inciting violence, all of which he and his party deny. .
