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.
#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 Pakistan’s newspaper Dawn, PTI leaders gathered on the outskirts of Islamabad on Sunday, demanding the immediate release of their party 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 the rally neared its conclusion, PTI supporters clashed with the police, who attempted to disperse them. Footage aired on television and circulated on social media showed the police deploying tear gas near Chongi No. 26 to control the crowd, Dawn reported.
The police said the local administration had designated a timeframe for the rally, but as it exceeded the hours, they had to attempt to disperse the supporters, leading to clashes and the use of tear gas.
“We will, God willing, secure Imran Khan’s release,” Azhar said, while Ali Muhammad lamented that Imran, who formed PTI to save Pakistan, was now in jail, according to Dawn’s report.
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Islamabad Violence: PTI Leaders Condemn ‘Senseless Act’, Pakistan Interior Says People ‘Rejected’ Rally
Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi took notice of the clashes and sought a report from the inspector general of Islamabad Police. He also ordered the provision of the best medical facilities to the injured policemen.
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.”
“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.