Pakistan’s midnight crackdown: Imran Khan supporters targeted after deadly clashes
Pakistani security forces cracked down on Imran Khan’s supporters in Islamabad on Tuesday night, arresting hundreds during a sit-in demanding his release. The operation followed violent clashes that killed six people over the weekend, escalating tensions nationwide.
Thousands of protesters defied curfews and government warnings, breaching barriers in Islamabad’s high-security zone. They faced tear gas, gunfire, and mass detentions as security forces responded to the unrest. Protesters carried flags of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, expressing solidarity with their imprisoned leader.
The unrest began Sunday when Khan’s supporters launched a “long march” from the northwest to Islamabad. Imran Khan, detained for over a year, faces more than 150 criminal charges, which PTI claims are politically motivated. Leading the march, his wife, Bushra Bibi, fled as police pushed back demonstrators. Authorities are now seeking her arrest.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the clearing of the red zone, which houses government buildings and embassies. Earlier, the army secured D-Chowk, near where visiting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was staying.
Despite curfews, new waves of protesters reached the red zone on Tuesday afternoon, reigniting tensions. PTI had rejected the government’s offer to hold the rally on the city’s outskirts, demanding direct action for Khan’s release.
The violence has strained authorities, with six deaths reported, including four security personnel and one police officer. In one incident, a vehicle rammed into security forces. Police detained over 4,000 protesters since Friday, imposing internet shutdowns and restricting messaging services in multiple areas.
The government insists Khan’s release lies with the courts, following his removal through a no-confidence vote in 2022. Meanwhile, PTI leaders have fled the protest site, and the government warns of further action to restore order.
The crackdown reflects Pakistan’s struggle to contain the unrest while balancing security and political instability. As tensions persist, the standoff between Khan’s supporters and the government remains unresolved, threatening further escalation.
