Pakistan Army’s Crackdown On Stir: Exclusive From Sources Close To Imran Khan

Last Updated:November 27, 2024, 18:25 IST

Pakistan's stir in support of Imran Khan was suspended as the clash left at least six dead even as PTI claimed “hundreds” were killed

PTI supporters clash with the security officials in Pakistan. (PTI)

The midnight crackdown on the protest by jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday is among the most brutal, local sources told News18, even as Indian intelligence sources reminded of the country’s track record on human rights. News18 has also published what are being called videos of the attack on citizens, prompting even the locals to seek “India-like democracy".

The stir was formally suspended as the clash with the authorities left at least six dead and over 50 injured even as the PTI earlier claimed “hundreds" were killed in the violent clashes with security personnel. According to sources close to Khan, over 100 lives have been lost and many more critically injured. “Pakistan Police and Pakistan Rangers fired directly on peaceful protesters in D Chowk on the orders of Interior Minister and Chief of Army Staff. The situation at the D Chowk in Islamabad was very tense last night. Thousands of Khan supporters had gathered, but the regime switched off the lights, tear-gassed and fired at them," sources said.

The midnight crackdown forced Khan’s supporters to evacuate the D-Chowk and its adjacent main business district of the capital ending their protest. “In view of the government’s brutality and the government’s plan to turn the capital into a slaughterhouse for unarmed citizens, (we) announce the suspension of the peaceful protest for the time being," Khan’s PTI said in a press release shared on its official X account.

Intelligence sources said, “Pakistan is facing major turmoil. The stability is under threat as army chief is ordering firing on civilians. The top leadership is not seen talking about it. Khan is looking at India."

“The Pakistan Army has always targeted innocent people in Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Shooting at the general population is nothing new for them. Babra, Kharakmar, Khyber Jirga Maidan, Waziristan, Kurram, Bajaur and other Pakhtun areas are watching this for ages, they said.

Amid concerns about the whereabouts of Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur – who were leading the march to Islamabad – the party said they were at Mansehra town, near Abbotabad, of the northwestern province.

THE THREE-DAY STIR

Authorities began reopening roads and cleaning all major thoroughfares vandalised during the three-day protest by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf: party.

Future plans would be announced “in light of directions" from Khan after the party’s political and core committees presented their “analyses of the state brutality" to him. The party statement also condemned the alleged “killing" and “terror and brutality against peaceful protesters in the name of an operation".

The PTI urged the chief justice to take suo motu notice of the alleged “brutal murder of martyred (party) workers" and order legal action against the prime minister, interior minister and police chiefs of Islamabad and Punjab for “attempt to murder."

Earlier on Tuesday evening, PTI supporters battled law enforcing agencies and succeeded in reaching the D-Chowk for a sit-in as part of their protest march that started on Sunday. The supporters’ clash with police killed at least six security personnel and injured dozens since Monday midnight.

Bushra Bibi and Gandapur had announced that the protesters would not go away until Khan, who had given the ‘final call’ for protest, was released from jail even as security personnel continued their efforts to move them from the D-Chowk, which is located close to several important government buildings: the Presidency, the PM Office, the Parliament, and the Supreme Court.

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".

With PTI Inputs

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