Political unrest continues to grip Pakistan as police clashed with supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday. Demonstrators defied a lockdown and a ban on rallies, gathering near Islamabad to demand Khan’s release. Police fired tear gas canisters in an attempt to disperse the crowd, marking yet another volatile chapter in the country’s political crisis.
Protesters, many of whom traveled over 150 kilometers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, faced shipping container blockades, arrests, and internet blackouts along the way. Despite these measures, the demonstrators remained determined. Videos circulating on social media showed some using heavy machinery to remove obstacles while wearing gas masks and protective goggles. According to authorities, the clashes have left one police officer dead and several others injured, further fueling tensions.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced that Khan’s supporters could hold protests on the city’s outskirts but warned of severe consequences if they entered Islamabad. This “long march” coincided with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s visit, heightening government concerns about the economic and diplomatic impact of the unrest.
Khan, who has been jailed for over a year and faces over 150 criminal cases, remains a polarizing figure. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), claims the charges are politically motivated. Recent protests have seen PTI leaders, including Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi, urging supporters to persist in their demands.
The protests have already led to widespread disruption, with suspended mobile services and blocked highways paralyzing travel between Islamabad and other cities. Economists warn that the ongoing unrest could cost the fragile Pakistani economy billions, as authorities scramble to negotiate with PTI leaders to prevent further escalation.
Source:Swifteradio.com
