The Pakistan government headed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday, November 26 deployed Army in capital territory of Islamabad and was given shoot-at-sight orders. These orders have been issued to quell protests by former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI). The step has been taken after the recommendation of Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi under Article 245 of the Constitution.
The Interior Ministry’s notification also grants the Pakistan Army the authority to impose curfews in any locality deemed necessary to maintain law and order, according to a report of the Express Tribune. The situation escalated when the protestors rammed a vehicle into Rangers personnel during the protest on Srinagar Highway in Islamabad. This led to the death of four Rangers officials and two policemen, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.
Besides, the report said that a group of armed individuals pelted stones and opened fire on security forces at Chungi No 26 in Rawalpindi, injuring a Ranger who was later transferred to CMH Rawalpindi in a critical condition. Earlier, the PTI took out a procession from Chungi Number 26 to D-Chowk, near National Assembly in the heart of the town. This served as trigger for heightened security measures in Islamabad’s red zone, with Rangers personnel getting deployed.
Meanwhile, a Washington-datelined report said the US has appealed for restraint from Pakistani authorities and thousands of protesters marching on the capital to call for Imran’s release. “We call on protesters to demonstrate peacefully and refrain from violence and, at the same time, we call on Pakistani authorities to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms and to ensure respect for Pakistan´s laws and constitution as they work to maintain law and order,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters on Monday.
Interior Minister Naqvi declared that PTI will not be allowed to take their protest march to D-Chowk, come what may. Naqvi told the media during a visit to D-Chowk that the government had offered the PTI an alternative site to stage their sit-in at Sangjani, and not try to enter the capital’s sensitive Red Zone.
“No one has ever been given permission to protest in D-Chowk. We offered them Sangjani. We asked them to give application and sit in Sangjani,” Naqvi said during his D-Chowk visit. “My information is that they got approval from Imran Khan but we haven’t got a final answer from PTI,” he added. Despite Naqvi’s claim that Imran had agreed to the alternative site, nobody from his party has confirmed this to media so far.
Meanwhile, Barrister Gohar Khan earlier held a 90-minute meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. After the meeting, Barrister Gohar confirmed that Imran Khan’s call for protest remains final. He emphasized that rumours about “final call’’ protest demonstrations being cancelled or amended were false and untrue.
Barrister Gohar has told journalists that the PTI founder’s stance on the protest was unchanged, and the movement would proceed as planned. The meeting focused on strategic discussions regarding the ongoing political situation and the party’s future course of action, he added.
A fortnight ago, on November 13, Imran Khan had given a “final call’’ for organising a massive protest in at D Chowk in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, starting on November 24 (Sunday). He had listed four major demands as 1. Release of all political prisoners, including Imran himself 2. Reversal of the 26th Constitutional Amendment 3. Restoration of democracy and Constitution in the country and 4. Return of “stolen mandate”.
The protest is being billed as “do or die’’ by Imran loyalists, including his wife Bushra Bibi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Aman Ali Gandapur. The duo of Bibi and Gandapur have led the largest contingent of protestors from KP which has now reached the periphery of Islamabad. Despite the Federal government’s strong arm tactics and declaring that it will not allow any protest by PTI, the situation is escalating by the hour.
“Until Imran Khan is with us, we will not end this protest. I will remain here until my last breath, and I ask all of you to stand by us,” Bushra Bibi said, addressing the crowd just outside Islamabad’s limits. “This isn’t just about my husband. It’s about the future of our country and the leadership we deserve.”
Bushra Bibi also highlighted the Pashtun community, calling them “a proud and honourable nation” and expressing confidence they would remain steadfast in the fight for justice.
This demonstration, which started on Sunday with most PTI leaders mobilising their supports, is the latest in a long series of protests and political unrest. Despite many setbacks suffered by PTI cadres, due mainly to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s moves inside and outside National Assembly, Imran’s supporters have remained defiant. They have constantly sought his release from Adiala jail, claiming the several charges Imran faces, are “politically motivated’’.
Interestingly, no PTI leader has till date named Pakistan Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir in his/her remarks. However, it is the backing of General Munir which has emboldened Sharif to act against Imran in the way he has acted so far. It seems PTI burned its bridges with the Pakistan Army last year on May 9 when Imran was arrested for the first time.
In the wake of Imran’s arrests, the PTI supporters had ransacked many properties owned by the Pakistan Army. Till date, May 9, 2023, actions by PTI supporters that day are considered the most serious revolt and show of strength by civilians against the Pakistan Army in the recent years.
