Mon Nov 25 20:56:06 UTC 2024: ## Deadly Clashes Erupt as Imran Khan Supporters March on Islamabad
**ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN** – At least one police officer was killed and over 100 people injured in violent clashes between supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan and Pakistani security forces outside Islamabad on Monday. The clashes erupted as thousands marched on the capital demanding Khan’s release from prison.
The march, dubbed a “final call” by Khan, saw protesters clash with authorities who had imposed a security lockdown, shutting down entry and exit points to Islamabad, implementing internet blackouts, and blocking major roads with shipping containers. Public transport was also suspended in the eastern province to prevent further arrivals. Schools in Islamabad and Rawalpindi remained closed.
Punjab province’s police chief, Usman Anwar, reported that one police officer was shot dead, 119 others injured, and 22 police vehicles torched. The PTI, Khan’s party, claims scores of its own members were also injured. The march, led by Khan’s wife and a key aide, reached the outskirts of Islamabad Monday night.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi vowed that those responsible for the police officer’s death would face justice, stating that this was not the first instance of police being killed during political protests. He claimed security forces showed “extreme restraint,” using rubber bullets and tear gas while some protesters fired live rounds.
However, Khan’s party accused the government of excessive violence and claimed hundreds of its members were arrested, alleging the use of live ammunition by security forces. While Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif stated that the government attempted negotiations, a senior PTI leader denied any talks had taken place. The PTI maintains that their demands for Khan’s release are legitimate. The situation remains tense, with the consequences of the clashes still unfolding.
First Piper 