Protesters demanding the release of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is being held in prison, clashed with military units in the capital, Islamabad, killing at least six people in bloodshed on the morning of the 26th.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi accused security forces of being hit and killed by a vehicle of protesters, saying: "This is not a revolution, it's a pursuit of bloodshed, it's extremism, not a peaceful protest."
On the other hand, the protesters claimed that more than 20,000 police were deployed in the capital alone and that they were indiscriminately suppressing the protesters with shields and clubs.Former Prime Minister
Khan has been in prison for more than a year on corruption charges, and the Pakistani Justice Movement (PTI), which he led, argues that the cases are politically motivated.
Protests have been held in Islamabad since the 23rd to demand Khan's release.
Pakistani authorities have announced a two-month ban on public gatherings and are blocking demonstrations by sporadically blocking mobile internet.
In addition, schools have been closed and shipping containers have been stacked on roads to prevent former Prime Minister Khan's supporters from entering the capital.
Khan, a former cricket star, won the 2018 general election with great popularity on his back to become prime minister.
However, he has been at odds with the military, a political heavyweight in foreign policy, and has been convicted of corruption and other charges since he stepped down as prime minister after a no-confidence motion was passed by parliament in April 2022.Pakistan's Justice Movement (PTI), led by former Prime Minister
Khan, was banned from running in February's parliamentary elections for breaking the law over party operations.
However, PTI candidates later ran as independents and won the most seats.
In response, the ruling party formed a coalition with other parties to maintain power, and former Prime Minister Khan claims that the results of the general election were fabricated.
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