Thousands of supporters of jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan clashed with police in Islamabad on Tuesday and broke barricades of shipping containers around the capital. Despite government warnings of open firing, the protesters continued their march demanding Khan’s release.
Late in the night, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi warned the protesters that the police would use live ammunition in response to any firing by the protesters. “If they open fire again, every bullet will be answered with a bullet,” he said.
Police fired tear gas shells and at least one person died in the violence, while several others, including journalists, were injured.
Here are the top developments in the story:
State releases tear gas, bullets fired as Khan supporters violate lockdown
Pakistani security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets at thousands of protesters demanding Khan’s release, who had defied a police lockdown to march in the capital.
“We are very disappointed with the government, they don’t know how to work,” Kalat Khan, a protester, told AFP on Monday. “The treatment we are being treated is unjust and cruel,” he said.
We call on Pakistani authorities to respect human rights: US
The US State Department expressed support for the Pakistani people’s right to peacefully protest and urged Pakistani authorities to respect human rights and freedoms.
“We call on protesters to demonstrate peacefully and refrain from violence and at the same time, we call on Pakistani authorities to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms and ensure respect for the laws and Constitution of Pakistan as they enforce the law and Work to maintain order.” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.
PTI leaders met Imran Khan
PTI leaders met Imran Khan late on Monday night, where they reportedly submitted government proposals to the jailed party leader. The outcome of the meeting was unclear as the PTI delegation left without addressing the media, Dawn reported.
Earlier, sources had suggested that PTI and government representatives had held talks to finalize a location for the protest in Islamabad, which would not disrupt peace. Although both sides did not explicitly confirm these discussions, Naqvi indicated that the government was still waiting for a response from PTI.
Over 4,000 PTI supporters arrested; Internet services closed
Police have detained more than 4,000 supporters of Imran Khan since Friday and shut down mobile and internet services in some areas to stop the protests.
The government said one police officer was killed and nine others were seriously injured during two days of clashes as protesters approached the capital.
A court banned rallies in the capital on Thursday and Interior Minister Naqvi warned that anyone violating the order would be arrested.