Protesters demanding the release of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan were dispersed from Islamabad’s city centre on Wednesday following a major security operation.
Since the weekend, over 10,000 demonstrators have converged on the capital in response to Khan’s call for action. He claims he was unfairly sidelined from the February elections, which he alleges were manipulated to block his return to power.
The government deployed 20,000 security personnel to contain the protests. Demonstrators, aiming to occupy a public square near parliament and the prime minister’s residence, were met with a strong security presence.
On Tuesday night, clashes broke out as police and paramilitary forces used tear gas and rubber bullets to push back protesters armed with sticks and slingshots. Fires burned on blocked roads as tensions escalated.
By early Wednesday, however, the streets leading to Islamabad’s government district were cleared, with reporters observing security personnel in riot gear leaving the area.
