Pakistan: 7 Dead As Cops Clash With PTI Supporters Demanding Imran Khan’s Release, Ex-Min Fawad Chaudhry Says

Pakistan News: A PTI rally in Islamabad turned violent, resulting in the deaths of seven people, according to former minister Fawad Chaudhry

PTI leaders gathered on the outskirts of Islamabad on Sunday to demand the “immediate release” of former Pakistan prime minister and party founder Imran Khan.

Source : ABP News | PTI

Pakistan News: At least seven people were killed and several others injured as police clashed with supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party during a rally on the outskirts of Islamabad on Sunday, according to PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry. "People who came to the rally were shot at, and lives have been lost," Chaudhry told ABP News, adding that the situation in Pakistan was akin to a state of martial law.

Despite the rising tensions, Fawad maintained that Imran Khan's supporters would not vacate the protest site, signalling a continued resistance.

Violent scenes emerged from the rally spot showing the clash between the protestors and the police. On Sunday, Imran Khan completed 400 days in jail.

#BREAKING | पाकिस्तान के इस्लामाबाद में बड़ा बवाल, PTI की रैली में हुई गोलीबारी @viveksemiliye | https://t.co/smwhXURgtc#ImranKhanPTI #Imrankhan #Firing #Police #Islamabad #Rally pic.twitter.com/LIkUfAOVju

— ABP News (@ABPNews) September 8, 2024

According to a report by Pakistan-based Dawn, PTI leaders rallied on the outskirts of Islamabad, demanding the “immediate release” of their founder, Imran Khan, while criticising the government for marginalising the party. The police responded to the rally by firing tear gas to disperse the crowd as clashes erupted towards the end of the event.

Footage on television and social media showed the police using tear gas shells near Chongi number 26, as PTI supporters clashed with them. The rally, aimed at garnering support for Imran Khan’s release, was led by PTI leader Hammad Azhar, who addressed the crowd, declaring that their gathering was to establish the rule of law and the supremacy of the Constitution in the country. "We will, God willing, secure Imran Khan’s release," Azhar affirmed, adding that no obstacle would deter them, as per Dawn's report.

PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan, speaking at the rally, demanded Imran Khan's release and expressed dismay at how the party’s leaders were being sidelined by the government. "I never thought there would be a day that Imran Khan, who formed our party to save Pakistan, would be put in jail," he lamented, according to the report.

Islamabad Police Say PTI Rally Flouted NOC Terms, Party Workers Allegedly Pelted Stones

The police, however, stated that the rally had violated the terms of the no-objection certificate (NOC) issued by the local administration. According to a notification dated September 8, cited by Dawn, the designated meeting time was from 4 PM to 7 PM. Rally organisers were informed of this timing at 6 PM, the notification stated. As the rally exceeded the allotted time, the police, under orders from the Islamabad Deputy Commissioner, attempted to disperse the crowd, leading to the clashes and the use of tear gas.

During the clashes, PTI workers allegedly pelted stones at the police, injuring several officers, including Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Safe City Shoaib Khan, as per the report. 

Islamabad Violence: PTI Leaders Condemn 'Senseless Act', Pakistan Interior Says People 'Rejected' Rally

Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi took notice of the situation and sought a report from the inspector general of Islamabad Police. The Interior Ministry confirmed that Naqvi had been in contact with the injured SSP and had ordered the provision of the best medical facilities for the injured officers.

PTI leaders, including Azhar and former Pakistan president Arif Alvi, criticised the police's attempts to disperse the rally, calling it an "idiotic move" and a "shameful, cruel, cowardly, and senseless act."

What an idiotic move to start shelling on peaceful participants. Will raise the political temperature in a situation where the public is already furious at the form 47 govt. https://t.co/rgEqzNeFZb

— Hammad Azhar (@Hammad_Azhar) September 8, 2024

“Shameful, cruel, cowardly, and senseless act. Conspiracy to destroy a peaceful assembly,” Arif Alvi wrote on X. “I appeal to the people to remain peaceful because those who can impose a false May 9th can raise all kinds of false flags. May God destroy the enemies of Pakistan.”

However, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the people of the country had "rejected PTI's rally," adding that the party was "spreading lies and propaganda" by uploading fake videos on social media, as per Radio Pakistan.

Tarar noted that it was the democratic right of a political party to hold a public gathering and that there is nothing special in this regard. “However, the rally should end within the time allowed by the district administration,” he was quoted as saying.