Thousands of supporters of former Prime Minister Khan entered the Pakistani capital

(CLO) On Monday, Pakistani police had to fire tear gas to stop thousands of supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from entering the country's capital, Islamabad.

The incident occurred as protesters, who had travelled from the northwest 150km away, began to approach Islamabad, defying the blockade, previous crackdowns and a ban on protests.

Protesters during a march to Islamabad demanding the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Hasan Abdal, Punjab province on November 25, 2024. Photo: AP

The event came just a day after Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party continued its "long march" despite the visit of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Lukashenko was received by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at an airport near Islamabad on Monday evening.

At least one police officer was killed and scores of people, including police and protesters, were injured in the clashes, officials said. The protesters were determined to advance on Islamabad, where a two-day lockdown has severely disrupted daily life.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the government was willing to allow Mr Khan's supporters to gather on the outskirts of Islamabad, but warned of strong action if they entered the city.

Mr Khan, who has been detained for more than a year and faces more than 150 criminal cases, retains strong support. His PTI party insists the charges are politically motivated.

A convoy of protesters is expected to enter the capital on Monday evening. Security officials estimate that between 9,000 and 11,000 people will take part, while PTI claims the actual number is much higher.

Videos on social media showed Mr Khan’s supporters wearing gas masks and goggles. Traffic between Islamabad and other cities was nearly cut off, with ambulances and cars forced to turn back because of containers blocking the main highway in Punjab province.

Other videos showed protesters using heavy machinery to clear containers from the road. PTI leader Kamran Bangash said: “We are determined to reach Islamabad despite the police using tear gas. Our supporters are breaking through the barriers one by one.”

Bushra Bibi, Mr Khan's wife, who has just been released on bail in a corruption case, led the march along with the provincial leader of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. She addressed the supporters, urging them to persevere to achieve their goal and win Mr Khan's freedom.

Prime Minister Sharif's government criticized the PTI for organizing protests when the country hosted international delegations, saying this caused great damage to the economy.

To prevent protests, more than 4,000 supporters of Mr Khan have been arrested since Friday. Authorities have also cut off mobile and internet services in sensitive areas.

A court-ordered ban on protests in the capital has been in place since Thursday, and anyone violating it will be arrested, according to Interior Minister Naqvi.

Mr Khan was ousted in 2022 by a no-confidence vote in Parliament. He was convicted in a corruption case in August 2023 and has been convicted several times in other cases. Although some of the convictions were overturned on appeal, he has not been released because of pending cases.

Cao Phong (according to CNN, AP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/hang-nghin-nguoi-ung-ho-cuu-thu-tuong-khan-tien-vao-thu-do-cua-pakistan-post322906.html