Pakistan’s security forces have cleared supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from the capital, Islamabad, after a major crackdown.
Authorities lifted the four-day lockdown on the city and reopened roads connecting Islamabad to the rest of the country, as confirmed by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Wednesday.
The city had been blocked to prevent protesters from reaching the capital. Hundreds of protesters were arrested during the operation, and thousands who had gathered to demand Khan's release were forced to leave. On Wednesday morning, workers were cleaning up the debris and removing the shipping containers that had been used to block the roads.
Khan, who has been in jail since August 2023, faces more than 150 charges that he claims are politically motivated to prevent him from running in upcoming elections. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), organized the protest to push for his release.
Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, led a convoy of supporters on Tuesday that broke through security lines and reached the edge of the Red Zone, where key government buildings and embassies are located. The protesters clashed with security forces, leading to deadly violence. Four paramilitary soldiers were killed in the clashes.
Later on Tuesday, the army took control of D-Chowk, a large square in the Red Zone, where the protesters had gathered.
Mohammad Asim, PTI’s president in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said that the party would plan its next steps after consulting with leaders. He added that Bibi and Ali Amin Gandapur, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, had safely returned to the province.
Since Friday, police have arrested over 4,000 of Khan's supporters, and mobile and internet services were temporarily suspended in some areas. However, services have now been restored.
An alleged statement from the proscribed terror outfit, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), was circulating on social media, in which the outfit condemned the alleged killing of PTI supporters during last night’s crackdown by police and security forces.
The PTI claimed that police and law enforcers, including paramilitary Rangers, had opened fire on their protesters which killed 100 people. The government, however, said that law enforcers strictly used only rubber bullets and tear gas and that no live, lethal munitions were used and that several PTI supporters were armed with advanced small arms. The people allegedly killed could not be independently verified.
SCBAP condemns 'state brutality', demands Gandapur's resignation
As the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership called off its protest in the federal capital - which had the stated aim of springing their leader Imran Khan from the Adiala jail in Rawalpindi - disintegrated in the face of concerted state crackdown, a group of senior lawyers has bemoaned state excesses against what they claimed were 'peaceful protesters'.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan (SCBAP) President Mian Muhammad Rauf Atta said, "I categorically underscore that this Association cannot turn a blind eye towards the brutal and reprehensible handling of civilian protestors gathered in the federal capital by the hands of law enforcement agencies."
Atta claimed that the state action had resulted in "the heavy loss of numerous human lives and left dozens severely injured," he said, noting that these estimates were based on media reports. However, the media only reported the martyrdom of law enforcement personnel, including police and paramilitary Rangers, who suffered their fate at the hands of armed protesters. However, the PTI has claimed that scores of its workers had allegedly been killed by the firing of law enforcers, though there has been no independent verification of this claim.
Expressing grave concern, Atta repeated PTI claims that "bullets were directly fired on armless protestors." He further asserted that this was a "fact" that was "heavily supported with facts and undeniable in light of media reports and reports received from the ground," though he provided no evidence of these being fact. It is pertinent to note that the Islamabad Police chief asserted that their action against protesters only involved tear gas and batons and that no lethal weapon was used. Moreover, hospitals said only 26 PTI protesters were brought with minor injuries; they were treated and then discharged. Over 60 police and Ranger personnel were brought in with injuries, while at least three Rangers and two police officers were killed.
"Those killed as a result of this brutality were our countrymen," Atta said, adding that the message such brutality sends on an international level and to democratic societies.
"Without any hint of imagination, it is clear as a broad daylight that use of such brutal and coercive force was made on the orders of the Federal Interior Minister, who was clearly operating with a dictatorial mindset and mishandled the entire situation," he asserted and demanded that the federal interior minister immediately steps down from his position.
"He has deliberately disregarded the very constitutional aspect that the protestors were exercising their constitutional and democratic rights," Atta asserted, claiming that the federal interior minister was not an elected representative of the people; rather, he got selected. Mohsin Naqvi was elected as a member of the Senate earlier this year.
Atta said he and the SCBA were of the 'clear view' that if some political figure had handled the situation, the casualties could have been avoided through talks and negotiations.
"We also call upon the federal government to immediately appoint some public representative to hold the portfolio of the federal minister of interior," he demanded.
The SCBA president also demanded the resignation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur.
"Destined for doom, he was leading this so-called long march. He has repeatedly attempted to assault the federation and appears to be more motivated in disenfranchising the country and the province he governs than addressing the serious law and order situation in his own province," Atta said, adding, "He is the epitome of catastrophe; he is pitilessly draining governmental resources to fulfil unlawful and unconstitutional whims while his own province is in turmoil."
Atta noted that they had anticipated the carnage and hence strongly suggested both sides immediately indulge in talks, dialogue, and reconciliation.
"We understand that numerous lives on both sides, i.e. of law enforcement personnel and civilians, have suffered losses. We demand a judicial inquiry into this matter without any delay."
He added that a loss of even a signal life holds immense importance and cannot be reverted.
Our hearts go out to the families of those who lost their loved ones.