Defiant Imran Khan Supporters March to Islamabad Amid Intense Police Crackdown – A Dramatic Showdown in Pakistan News
Jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s political party, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), resumed its protest march toward Islamabad on Monday, facing strong governmental resistance. The march, led by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi, began amid significant roadblocks created by authorities using shipping containers to prevent their advance. These obstacles slowed the marchers’ progress, although participants used heavy machinery to clear the path.
Khan, serving time in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail since his government was ousted via a no-confidence motion in 2022, issued a “final call” for nationwide protests planned for November 24, denouncing a “stolen mandate” and what he perceived as unjust arrests and the reinforcement of a “dictatorial regime” via the 26th amendment. His party, despite contesting independently due to the denial of an election symbol, won a significant number of seats in the February elections and maintains that the ruling coalition led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) usurped power.
The government has banned rallies using Section 144—a colonial-era law—while a high-level Belarusian delegation, led by Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzinkov and including President Alexander Lukashenko, visits Pakistan. Talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir are expected to bolster bilateral relations.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi emphasized the security measures as necessary to protect Islamabad residents, blaming the PTI for causing public inconvenience. The government plans to arrest any marchers entering the capital and has deployed police and paramilitary troops to maintain order. Meanwhile, clashes in Rawalpindi led to the arrest of around 60 PTI supporters. The party claims over 490 members have been detained across Punjab, with further allegations of missing workers. Despite these challenges, PTI leaders remain steadfast in their demands, urging supporters to persevere until Khan is released.
Original Story https://indianexpress.com/article/pakistan/imran-khan-supporters-march-islamabad-police-crackdown-9688898/
Category : Pakistan
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Publish Date: 2024-11-25 11:39:00
