On November 26, 2024, violent protests erupted in Islamabad as supporters of Imran Khan, the imprisoned former Prime Minister of Pakistan, clashed with security forces. The protests, demanding Khan’s release from jail, escalated into deadly confrontations, leading to the deaths of at least six people, including four members of the security forces and one civilian who was killed when a vehicle rammed into them. The violence led to widespread unrest, prompting the Pakistani government to impose a shoot-at-sight order to control the situation.

The protests are organized by supporters of Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who are rallying for his release, claiming that the charges against him are politically motivated. Khan, who has been imprisoned since August 2023 following a conviction in a corruption case, faces over 150 criminal charges. His supporters believe the cases are designed to silence his political movement, which has been gaining significant popularity in recent years.

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the violence, describing the attackers as an “anarchist group” deliberately targeting law enforcement. The Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, warned that the government would not hesitate to respond with live fire if the protesters continued to fire at security forces. The violent response resulted in a shoot-at-sight order, further escalating tensions.

Protesters and Clashes with Security Forces

Supporters of Imran Khan's party, PTI, attempted to break through a shipping container blockade set up by the authorities to prevent their march towards the Red Zone, a high-security area in the capital housing government buildings. The protesters, led by Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, faced a heavy crackdown from police, who used tear gas to disperse the crowds. Despite the government’s warnings, protests continued with increasing violence, including attacks on journalists, with one videographer for the Associated Press sustaining injuries after being beaten by the crowd.

In an effort to contain the protests, the government suspended mobile and internet services in parts of the country, disrupting communication channels crucial for the PTI’s organizing efforts. Despite this, protests intensified, with over 4,000 PTI supporters arrested since Friday. The Islamabad administration also imposed a ban on rallies in the capital and closed all educational institutions in a bid to quell the unrest.

As the situation remains volatile, questions about the future of Pakistan's political landscape loom large. The Pakistani government’s efforts to suppress the protests, combined with the growing public dissatisfaction with Khan's imprisonment, indicate that the political crisis is far from over. The clashes in Islamabad come at a particularly sensitive time, coinciding with the official visit of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, adding an international dimension to the ongoing unrest.

In light of these developments, Pakistan's political future remains uncertain, as the demand for Imran Khan’s release continues to fuel widespread protests across the country.

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