Several deaths occurred during protests in the capital of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – Supporters demanding the release of jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday broke through a ring of shipping containers blocking the capital Islamabad, while at least six people died in protest-related violence. Protesters clashed with security forces and ignored the government’s threat to return fire.

The dead included four members of the security services and one civilian who died when a vehicle hit them in the street. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned Tuesday’s attack, saying an “anarchist group” deliberately targeted law enforcement personnel. There were no claims of liability for the ramming. In a separate incident, a policeman was killed.

Shortly after midnight, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi threatened that security forces would return heavy fire if protesters fired weapons at them.

“If they fire bullets again, the bullet will be answered by a bullet,” he said.

Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. Many people were injured, including journalists attacked by Khan’s supporters. Dozens of Khan’s supporters beat up a cameraman recording a protest for the Associated Press and took his camera. He suffered head injuries and was treated in hospital.

Pakistani media largely stopped filming and photographing the rally, instead focusing on the security measures and the city’s deserted streets.

Khan, who has been in prison for more than a year and faces more than 150 criminal cases, remains popular. His party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) says the cases are politically motivated.

Authorities say only the courts can order the release of Khan, who was ousted in 2022 following a vote of no confidence in parliament. Since his first conviction in a bribery case in August 2023, he has been in prison and has been convicted in several cases.

Khan’s supporters were about 10 km (6.2 miles) from their target, the city’s Red Zone, which houses key government buildings. Naqvi said Khan’s party rejected the government’s offer to hold rallies on the outskirts of the city.

Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, who is leading the protest, told people to march peacefully towards the Red Zone. She said that if Khan was not released, another plan of action would be given to protesters. She also appealed to the government not to harm the demonstrators.

In a bid to thwart the protest, police have arrested more than 4,000 Khan supporters since Friday and suspended cellphone and internet services in some parts of the country. On Thursday, a court banned rallies in the capital, and Naqvi said anyone violating the ban would be arrested.

Travel between Islamabad and other cities has become almost impossible with shipping containers blocking the roads. All educational institutions remain closed. Mobile internet services and messaging platforms are experiencing major disruptions in the capital.

PTI, demanding his release, is making extensive use of social media and using communication platforms such as WhatsApp to share information, including details of events. Platform X, which is banned in Pakistan, is no longer available even with a VPN.

The violence occurred during the official visit of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

—Staff writer Munir Ahmed contributed to this report.