Islamabad descended into chaos late Monday as supporters of Pakistan’s jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan clashed with authorities during a march on the capital. The unrest, which turned deadly, poses a serious challenge to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government, already grappling with economic woes and political turmoil.
Fatalities and injuries
Zulfi Bukhari, a spokesperson for Khan’s political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), reported that one protester had been killed and at least 20 injured in the violence. Authorities have yet to confirm the casualty figures but blamed Khan’s supporters for the mayhem, citing the death of a police officer and injuries to over 119 others, including gunshot wounds.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, attending the funeral of the deceased officer, stated, “Those who gave the call for the protest and seconded it are responsible for the casualties.” He vowed that authorities would take strict action against demonstrators attempting to breach Islamabad’s heavily guarded Red Zone, home to key government offices, Parliament, and foreign embassies.
Protests escalate
The largest convoy of protesters, spearheaded by Khan’s allies from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, pushed past roadblocks and braved tear gas to enter Islamabad. Protests erupted in multiple cities across Pakistan following Khan’s call for demonstrations, with hundreds of his followers arrested during clashes.
Educational institutions in Islamabad were closed, mobile phone services were suspended in select areas, and public gatherings of more than five people were banned as authorities sought to regain control. Vehicles were torched, and scores of officers were injured, with two in critical condition, according to Naqvi.
Punjab province’s police chief, Usman Anwar, reported that 119 officers were wounded in various incidents in the region, which borders the capital.
Political and economic crisis
The protests mark the latest flashpoint in Pakistan’s ongoing political crisis. Imran Khan, a former cricketing icon turned politician, has been imprisoned for over a year and faces more than 150 legal cases, ranging from corruption to incitement of violence. Although courts have granted him bail or suspended sentences in some cases, he remains in custody, fuelling anger among his supporters.
Khan’s PTI party is not only demanding his release but also calling for the reversal of a controversial law that they claim gives the government undue power to meddle in judicial affairs.
Sharif’s government, meanwhile, has sought to focus on economic recovery under an International Monetary Fund (IMF)-backed loan programme. However, the unrest is severely disrupting progress, with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb estimating economic losses at approximately 144 billion rupees ($518 million) per day.
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A nation on edge
The demonstrations began on Sunday after Khan urged his followers to mobilise. Despite heavy-handed measures by the government, including tear gas, roadblocks, and mass arrests, the protests have only gained momentum.
In addition to economic strain, the crisis underscores deep political divisions within Pakistan. Sharif’s administration has signalled its intent to hold Khan accountable for the unrest, but the former premier’s enduring popularity poses a significant hurdle.
Naqvi, the interior minister, made clear that authorities are prepared to take all necessary steps to maintain order, saying, “The government cannot allow the capital to be held hostage by violence and lawlessness.”
A defining moment
The ongoing unrest is testing Pakistan’s fragile democracy and governance structures. Khan’s arrest and the subsequent crackdown on his supporters have highlighted the deepening polarisation between the ruling coalition and opposition forces.
With Pakistan’s economic recovery hanging in the balance, the government must navigate a delicate path to maintain stability while addressing the grievances of millions who continue to rally behind Khan.
The coming days will be critical in determining whether the Sharif government can assert control or whether Pakistan will face a prolonged period of political and social upheaval.
