In Pakistan, on November 24, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Party protested for the release of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The protest turned violent. Police have arrested more than 4 thousand PTI supporters. Apart from this, schools were closed in the country and internet was also shut down.
Pakistan police arrested more than 4 thousand PTI supporters
In India’s neighboring country Pakistan, protests were held in the capital Islamabad on 24 November. The government deployed police forces to stop the protests. A security official said that Pakistan Police has arrested more than 4 thousand supporters. This protest was held to demand the release of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. PAK Punjab Provincial Security Officer Shahid Nawaz confirmed the arrest of supporters including five MPs. The government took several steps to stop this demonstration. Authorities sealed off Islamabad with shipping containers and closed major roads connecting the city to PTI strongholds in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
Imran Khan called for protests
Former PTI party chief Imran Khan announced the protest on 13 November, saying that it was a protest to break the chains of slavery. PTI party is trying to put pressure on the government to release its jailed leaders. Imran Khan has been in jail in more than 150 cases for the last one year. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko is on a visit to Pakistan from 25 to 27 November. On 24 November, 80 members of his delegation reached the country. Due to this, the Pakistan government made every possible effort to stop this protest by PTI.
Schools closed, internet shut down, section 144 imposed
The protest turned violent and clashes broke out between police and PTI supporters. Tear gas was also released. As a precautionary measure, the government has suspended internet, mobile services and public transport in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. All schools and colleges in Islamabad and Punjab province have been ordered to remain closed on Monday. PAK Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that the government building will be sealed and anyone trying to reach there will be arrested. To stop PTI workers from moving forward, huge containers were placed on 37 roads in Islamabad, pictures of which have also surfaced.
Also, a large number of security forces were deployed to stop the demonstration. Special arrangements have been made for the security of all important government buildings including Parliament and the Supreme Court. Section 144 was imposed in the city and public gatherings were banned for two months. According to Pakist. media, the government exchequer has lost more than PKR 2.7 billion due to protests by Imran Khan’s PTI party in the last 18 months. This also includes the cost of destroying public and private property.
