Imran Khan supporters in showdown with Pakistan forces: What we know
Violent clashes continue in Islamabad as security forces use tear gas, and rubber bullets to disperse advancing protesters.
By Tips & Tricks News Guide
Thousands of Pakistani protesters, demanding the release of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, breached security barriers and defied a lockdown to enter Islamabad.
The demonstrators, supporters of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, clashed with security forces on Tuesday as they pushed toward the central D-Chowk square. Armed with slingshots and sticks, they faced tear gas and rubber bullets. By early afternoon, many had reached their destination.
The government has invoked Article 245 of the constitution, enabling it to deploy the army to maintain domestic law and order.
What is happening in Pakistan?
Protest convoys began converging on Islamabad on Sunday, departing from various regions across the country under the leadership of PTI figures.
The primary convoy, which left Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—a PTI stronghold in the restive northwest—was led by Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, and Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.
On Monday, Bushra Bibi assured Khan’s supporters that the protests would persist until his release.
Ahead of the demonstration, police arrested over 4,000 protesters nationwide, while the government suspended mobile and internet services.
Source: Geo News, Google Maps | November 25, 2024
Why is Imran Khan in jail?
Imran Khan, 72, was first arrested on May 9, 2023, in connection with a corruption case. Although the Supreme Court ordered his release two days later, he was re-arrested in August 2023 and sentenced for the illegal sale of state gifts. He has remained in detention since.
The former prime minister, ousted in April 2022 following a no-confidence vote in parliament, faces over 150 legal cases, which his party, PTI, alleges are politically motivated.
What are the protesters’ demands?
Apart from Khan’s release, the PTI is also calling for the following:
Revoke Controversial Constitutional Amendments
In October, the 26th amendment was hurriedly passed by both houses of parliament—the Senate and the National Assembly. This amendment significantly alters the judiciary, imposing a fixed three-year term for the Supreme Court’s chief justice, now appointed by a parliamentary committee. It also reduces the Supreme Court's authority, redirecting constitutional and fundamental rights cases to newly established “constitutional benches.” Omar Ayub Khan, PTI’s opposition leader in the National Assembly, criticized the changes, calling them an attack on judicial independence, saying they are “suffocating a free judiciary.”
Return the ‘Stolen Mandate’
The February 8 general election, plagued by allegations of vote rigging and delayed results, led to a six-party alliance forming a government under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The coalition includes the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). PTI members claim the alliance is made up of “mandate thieves.” On November 17, Haleem Adil Sheikh, PTI president for Sindh province, vowed the party would reclaim what it calls the “stolen mandate.”
Free Political Prisoners
Khan’s initial arrest on May 9 triggered nationwide protests, resulting in the arrest of dozens of demonstrators. Many remain behind bars, fueling demands for their immediate release.
What is the latest?
Khan’s supporters clashed with police on Monday night and Tuesday, facing tear gas and rubber bullets during the confrontations.
“These supporters are determined and passionate. They have spent days overcoming obstacles just to reach Islamabad,” reported Tips & Tricks News Guide from the capital.
Since Monday, clashes between PTI members and security forces have left at least four paramilitary rangers and two policemen dead, with dozens injured, according to the Ministry of Interior.
Islamabad was placed under a strict security lockdown on Monday and Tuesday, banning public gatherings and closing educational institutions. Schools in neighboring Rawalpindi were also shut.
Amid the unrest, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko arrived in Pakistan on Monday for a three-day visit and was received by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at an airbase in Rawalpindi.
“These disruptive elements do not seek revolution but bloodshed,” Sharif said in a statement.
Tips & Tricks News Guide described Islamabad as a city "virtually under siege."
Where are the protesters now?
On Tuesday, some protesters reached D-Chowk, near key government buildings, including the prime minister’s office, where they planned to hold their sit-in.
Known as Democracy Chowk, D-Chowk is a popular protest site located in the high-security Red Zone.
The protesters had earlier managed to bypass roadblocks, including large shipping containers and barbed wire, on the G-9 highway, about 15km (9.3 miles) from D-Chowk. Security forces responded by using stun grenades and tear gas to disperse the crowds.
What did Mohsin Naqvi say?
Federal Interior Minister Naqvi said the government proposed Sangjani, located on the outskirts of Islamabad, as an alternative protest venue during late-night talks with protest representatives.
He also mentioned that PTI leaders, including Gohar Ali Khan, met with Khan in his prison cell twice on Monday night to seek his advice on the matter, but they have not reported receiving a response.
Naqvi cautioned the protesters against crossing into the Red Zone and marching to D-Chowk, warning that the government would take "extreme measures" and make arrests to prevent it.
What is Article 245?
Article 245 of the constitution grants the civilian government the authority to call in the army to assist in maintaining "law and order."
The first clause of the article states: “The Armed Forces, under the direction of the Federal Government, shall defend Pakistan against external aggression or the threat of war and, subject to law, assist civil authorities when requested.”
It further specifies that the validity of any directions issued by the federal government under this clause cannot be challenged.
The article also prevents any high court from issuing a ruling on matters in areas where the military has been deployed.
Is internet connection disrupted?
Internet disruptions have been reported across several cities in Pakistan since late last week. On Saturday, internet watchdog NetBlocks issued an update, noting that WhatsApp backends had been restricted in the country, hindering the sharing of media such as photos and voice messages.
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