Imran Khan’s supporters march to Islamabad to demand his release – BNN Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) — Protesters demanding the release of imprisoned former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan have reached the edge of the nation’s capital, authorities said late Monday, defeating efforts by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government to quell nationwide protests.

The largest convoy of supporters, led by top Khan leaders from the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, cleared roadblocks on a highway to Islamabad after authorities tried to disperse them with tear gas, according to Pakistani government officials.

Authorities previously said hundreds of Khan supporters were arrested in multiple cities following protests and skirmishes that left at least one police officer dead and more than 100 injured. According to Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi, these injuries include gunshot wounds.

The marches began on Sunday at the instigation of Khan, who has not been released despite courts granting bail or suspending sentences in some cases against him.

Khan has been in prison for over a year. The former cricket star faces more than 150 cases related to his time as prime minister, ranging from corruption to inciting violence and abuse of power.

According to a notification from the local administration, all educational institutions in Islamabad have been closed due to security reasons. The government also suspended mobile phone services in some areas and banned gatherings of more than five people in the capital.

Interior Minister Naqvi told reporters on Monday after the funeral of a slain policeman that dozens of policemen were injured in Islamabad, including two in critical condition, and protesters set fire to vehicles.

At a later briefing, he signaled his intention to hold Khan directly accountable, saying that “those who called for and supported the protest are responsible for the police casualties.” Naqvi also said that authorities are arresting protesters who try to approach the so-called the capital’s red zone, where the most important government offices and parliament are located, as well as the residences and embassies of the president and prime minister.

Usman Anwar, the police chief of Punjab province, told reporters that 119 policemen were injured in several incidents that took place in the region, which is south of the capital.

The new protests pose a challenge to Sharif’s government, which has tried to focus on restructuring and reforming the country’s weak economy under a loan and reform program managed by the International Monetary Fund.

According to Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, the government estimates that causing unrest costs the economy about 144 billion rupees ($518 million) a day.

In addition to Khan’s release, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party wants Sharif’s government to repeal a new law that it says gives it the power to interfere in court cases.