Wed Nov 27 04:06:09 UTC 2024: ## Hundreds Arrested in Midnight Raid on Imran Khan Supporters in Islamabad

**ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN** – Hundreds of supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan were arrested in a sweeping midnight raid following violent protests in Islamabad. The raid, launched Tuesday night, dispersed a large gathering demanding Khan’s release from jail. At least six people died in the clashes preceding the raid, including four paramilitary soldiers.

Earlier in the day, a convoy led by Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, breached security and approached Islamabad’s heavily fortified red zone, where thousands of protesters had gathered. Protesters, affiliated with Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, had seized Zero Point ‘D-Chowk’, intending to stage an indefinite sit-in.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that negotiations were off the table, alleging the protesters were heavily armed and used weapons against security forces, violating a city-wide gathering ban. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the protests as “extremism,” accusing protesters of killing paramilitary personnel by ramming them with vehicles.

However, PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari disputed the government’s account, claiming two protesters were killed and 30 injured in the security forces’ crackdown. He alleged one was shot and the other run over.

From Adiala jail, Khan released a message commending his supporters’ “peaceful” protest, urging them to continue their fight. He stated, “My message for my team is to fight until the last ball is bowled. We will not back down until our demands are met.” The conflicting accounts leave the precise details of the events unclear, with both sides presenting differing narratives of the violence. The situation remains tense in Islamabad.

Read More