Pakistan erupts in violence: At least six killed as protests demand Imran Khan’s release

At least six people, including four paramilitary personnel and two police officers, have been killed, and over 100 security forces injured as protests by supporters of Pakistan's imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan turned violent on November 26.

The unrest, which spiralled out of control, led the government to call in the army to Islamabad and issue “shoot on sight” orders, according to state-run media, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The violence follows days of escalating protests by supporters of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, who are demanding his release. On November 25, the protesters breached Islamabad despite efforts by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government to quell the demonstrations.

Reports indicate that four Rangers died when a PTI rally vehicle crashed into security personnel, while five others, including Rangers and police officers, were critically injured. PTI spokesperson Zulfi Bukhari stated that one protester was killed and 20 injured during clashes with the authorities, though the government has not confirmed this.

They instead placed blame on PTI supporters, noting that a police officer also died and more than 119 were injured. According to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, hundreds of Khan's followers have been arrested in multiple cities during the unrest. The Pakistani Army has been deployed under Article 245 to restore order.

Meanwhile, a Pakistani court granted bail to former Prime Minister Imran Khan on November 20 in a corruption case, his lawyer confirmed. However, despite the ruling, Khan remains behind bars due to numerous other charges still pending against him.

The decision by a higher court in Islamabad was seen as a positive development for Khan in the case, where he and his wife, Bushra Bibi, are accused of unlawfully retaining and selling state gifts during his time in office, in breach of government regulations. Khan has denied these allegations. The trial, which began in July, is still ongoing.

Since being removed from office in a no-confidence vote in 2022, Khan has faced more than 150 legal cases and has been sentenced in several, including to three, 10, 14, and seven years, to be served concurrently under Pakistani law.

Although his convictions have been overturned on appeal, Khan remains in prison due to the unresolved cases against him. With the legal framework regarding multiple cases being unclear, Khan continues to be held at the same prison in Rawalpindi where he has been incarcerated following his initial conviction.

By Aghakazim Guliyev