Pakistan: Violent Street Clashes for Imran Khan’s Release from Jail
After days of protests in Pakistan, the situation is normalizing
The situation in Islamabad is normalizing, according to local media reports, after two days of protests and street clashes.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi explains that the protests have been quelled, public transportation will start working again, internet will be restored, and schools are scheduled to open on November 28.
Pakistan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf party (PTI) launched protests on November 24, demanding the repeal of some recently passed constitutional amendments and the release of political prisoners, including Imran Khan, PTI founder and former prime minister. The protesters also ran in the February 2024 election.
Imran Khan, who was a cricket star before his political career, was arrested more than a year ago on dozens of charges that his supporters say are baseless and constitute political persecution.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the protesters extremists and used the army and police who clashed with the demonstrators. At least 500 activists were arrested. On November 26, protesters reached Islamabad area where country’s institutions are located and were finally dispersed shortly before arriving at D-Chowk Square; Interior Minister reported seven dead, including four paramilitary personnel and a policeman.
