Thousands of supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan clashed with security forces in Pakistan’s capital on Tuesday, escalating tensions between protesters and the government. The protests, led by Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, and key allies, saw demonstrators storm the heavily guarded Red Zone, home to vital government buildings and foreign embassies. At least six people, including four paramilitary soldiers, were killed in the violence, while dozens more were injured.
The protesters, calling for Khan’s release from jail, also staged a sit-in outside the parliament, with Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), pledging to continue the demonstrations. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the violence, blaming the protesters for the deaths of soldiers, while Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi rejected any talks with the protesters.
Amid the clashes, Amnesty International urged the government to respect the rights of protesters and end the military’s excessive use of force. Khan, in a message from prison, encouraged his supporters to keep fighting for his release, framing the protest as a battle for Pakistan’s freedom. The violence marked a sharp escalation from previous protests, with the authorities warning of a possible curfew as tensions rise across the country.
