Four paramilitary soldiers were killed during violent clashes between security forces and protesters in Islamabad near Pakistan’s parliament, with demonstrators calling for the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Reuters reports.
The protesters, some armed with steel rods, slingshots, and sticks, ransacked vehicles, set a police kiosk on fire, and attacked journalists, calling for the government’s resignation and Khan’s release. The Pakistani government deployed the army to protect key areas, including diplomatic missions, government buildings, and embassies, and warned of a potential curfew in the capital.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif accused the protesters of violent extremism, claiming they rammed troops with vehicles. However, Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party denied the claim, asserting that protesters were protecting the soldiers and accusing the government of fabricating the narrative.
The protest is part of Khan’s ongoing efforts to regain power after his ousting in 2022, with his party alleging election rigging by the military-backed government. The unrest has further destabilized Pakistan, causing a drop in stock market indices.
