Pakistan: Imran Khan Supporters Detained After Defying Lockdown

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Facts

  • Police in Pakistan Monday detained over 4K supporters of former prime minister Imran Khan, including five lawmakers, for trying to reach Islamabad's Red Zone. This comes a day after a lockdown was imposed on the capital to prevent a rally demanding Khan's release and the government's resignation.[1]
  • Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi — imprisoned with Khan but released on bail in late October — and Peshawar lawmaker Ali Amin Gandapur led a march to Islamabad. On their way to the capital, she promised supporters, "Until Khan comes to us, we will not end this march."[2]
  • According to authorities, Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and the police clashed near Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. At least one police officer was killed, while several other police officers and demonstrators were injured in the brawl.[3][4]
  • Shaikh Waqas Akram, the PTI information secretary, said over 70K people have begun marching toward the capital from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, intending to enclose Islamabad on three sides.[5]
  • The march comes as Belarusian Pres. Aleksandr Lukashenko arrived in Pakistan on Monday on an official visit. The government blocked major roads, deployed paramilitary personnel in riot gear, and suspended mobile and internet services to protect residents and property.[1][6]
  • After a falling out with Pakistan's military, parliament removed Khan from office in 2022. He is currently serving time for numerous charges of corruption and inciting violence.[7]

Sources: [1]Al Jazeera, [2]BBC News, [3]Independent, [4]Associated Press, [5]The Guardian, [6]Reuters and [7]Al Arabiya.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Firstpost. The government must maintain law and order to protect diplomatic visits and prevent the destabilization of Islamabad, as previous protests have resulted in violence and damage to state property, disrupting daily life and threatening national security.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Voice of America. The protests represent a legitimate democratic movement against political persecution, as Khan faces politically motivated cases and his party was unfairly treated in recent elections, while the government's heavy-handed response violates basic rights to assembly and communication.

Predictions