Pakistan Political Crisis: From Karachi To Dubai, Imran Khan Supporters Stage Massive Protests Against His Ouster

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf members also staged protest in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates with demonstrators shouting slogans against the Opposition

New Delhi:  The high octane drama in Pakistan’s National Assembly on Sunday that led to Imran Khan's ouster as the Prime Minister through a no-confidence motion has sparked massive protests by supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in several cities.

Rallies have been organised in various cities including Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar, and Lahore with demonstrators shouting slogans against the Opposition. Protests were also held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party supporters.

Taking to Twitter, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf said: "Dubai, UAE Call was for Pakistan but Pakistanis across the globe standing up for #ImranKhan."

Streets of Karachi were lighted up for Imran Khan and PTI supporters in the capital city of Islamabad gathered and staged demonstration starting from Zero Point waving flags and chanting slogans in support of former Prime Minister.

Flow of traffic at Srinagar Highway was affected as rally caused long traffic jams, according to Dawn newspaper.

Earlier in the day, PTI spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry had urged people to stage protests after Isha prayers. He said Khan not leading a massive movement would amount to a "betrayal with the country's politics and Constitution".

Thanking his supporters, the cricketer turned politician on Sunday tweeted, "Thank you to all Pakistanis for their amazing outpouring of support & emotions to protest against US-backed regime change abetted by local Mir Jafars to bring into power a coterie of pliable crooks all out on bail. Shows Pakistanis at home & abroad have emphatically rejected this."</p

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Khan, whose exit was looming with the economic crisis mounting in the country, has been trying to garner support to put up a power show.

In the initial reactions after the ouster, Khan tweeted: "Pakistan became an independent state in 1947; but the freedom struggle begins again today against a foreign conspiracy of regime change. It is always the people of the country who defend their sovereignty & democracy."

A parliament session on Monday is set to elect Shehbaz Sharif, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's brother, as the new prime minister of the country.

The military that has ruled the country of 22 million for half of the period in its 75-year history, has remained silent over the current political crisis and the subsequent leadership change.

( With inputs from ANI)