Supporters of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan have held rallies in Islamabad demanding his release from jail, despite a ban on protests and a police crackdown. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party claimed its leader from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Province, Ali Amin Gandapur, was abducted and unlawfully detained, leading to clashes with police. The protests are part of a series of demonstrations by the opposition party, which the government has sought to suppress.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi accused the protesters of causing injuries to over 80 police officers and disrupting diplomatic engagements in the city. The authorities have implemented communication cuts, road blockades, and a crackdown on social media in response to the protests, drawing criticism from Amnesty International. The PTI alleges that the February elections were rigged and that Khan’s imprisonment is politically motivated to prevent his return to power.
Khan, who served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, was deposed in a no-confidence vote and remains in jail facing trial on various charges. The PTI has vowed to continue protesting until Khan is released. The government has warned against further disruption, emphasizing the need for peaceful assembly and respect for red lines. The situation in Pakistan remains tense as the opposition and authorities continue to clash over the right to protest and political freedom in the country.
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