ISLAMABAD, Nov 26: Jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s supporters, demanding his release from prison, reached the heart of Pakistan’s capital on Tuesday after battling police in clashes that killed six security personnel and injured dozens.
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TV channels showed footage of Khan’s supporters facing tear gas and climbing on the shipping containers placed on the roads leading to D-Chowk, which is located close to several important government buildings: the Presidency, the PM Office, the Parliament, and the Supreme Court.
The top leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who led protesters from other parts of the country to Islamabad, have vowed to remain in the city until Khan was released from jail.
“Promise that you will not leave D-Chowk until Khan comes with us,” Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi told the party supporters.
Separately, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur asked his supporters not to go beyond D-Chowk until they get any orders from Khan. “D-Chowk means D-Chowk,” he said, referring to the destination announced by Khan.
He also asked the federal Government to allow them to stage a peaceful sit-in and vowed that they would not return until Khan’s directives.
The 72-year-old former premier, who has been in jail since August last year, issued a “final call” on November 13 for nationwide protests on November 24, denouncing what he termed as the stolen mandate, the unjust arrests of people and the passage of the 26th amendment, which he said has strengthened a “dictatorial regime”.
Meanwhile, Islamabad police chief Ali Nasir Rizvi promised to drive miscreants out of Islamabad, saying he would ensure the implementation of the Islamabad High Court order to stop the PTI from staging rallies or stage sit-ins in the capital.
“No leniency should be shown to any miscreant,” he said, adding that the law enforcement agency will take action in line with the law. (PTI)
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