Protests erupt in Pakistan, demanding the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan

On November 25, hundreds of Pakistanis joined a march demanding the release of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Police and paramilitary forces, fully equipped with riot gear, are on high alert in all areas of the Pakistani capital Islamabad. (Source: Reuters)

The flow of people has reached the Pakistani capital Islamabad, amid escalating violence in other areas.

Over the past two days, Pakistani authorities have imposed a security blockade to prevent protesters from reaching parliament. Several highways leading into the city have also been barricaded.

Authorities used shipping containers to block major roads and streets in Islamabad, while police and paramilitary forces in full riot gear kept a tight watch across the area.

According to Pakistani officials, all public transport between cities and bus stations in the eastern province of Punjab was suspended to prevent protesters led by members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari said she would not let protesters attack the capital, adding that about 80 of Mr Khan's supporters had been arrested by the authorities.

The capital Islamabad tightened security ahead of the visit of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko on November 25.

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party accused the Pakistani government of using violent measures to suppress protesters, claiming hundreds of party members and leaders had been arrested.

In addition, Islamabad police announced a ban on all gatherings of any kind. Authorities have closed all schools in Islamabad and the neighboring military city of Rawalpindi, and slowed down internet connections and WhatsApp messaging services in these areas.

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan called the rally his “final call.” It was one of several rallies the PTI has held to demand his release since his detention in August 2023. The party’s most recent rally in Islamabad in early October 2024 turned violent.

According to the PTI party, Bushra Bibi, the third wife of the detained former Prime Minister, is leading the protest along with Ali Amin Gandapur, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and is approaching the outskirts of Islamabad on the evening of November 24.

Mr Khan was ousted in a no-confidence vote in April 2022. The former prime minister has also been in prison since August 2023 and is facing trial on charges of inciting violence on May 9, 2023 - the day his supporters rioted and attacked military installations.

In Pakistan, the military plays a major role in politics and often decides who will lead the South Asian nation of 241 million people.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/protest-bung-phat-o-pakistan-yeu-cau-tra-tu-do-cho-cuu-thu-tuong-imran-khan-295061.html