At least one person was killed, and twelve others were injured in nationwide protests after the Arrest of Imran Khan, from the Islamabad High Court by paramilitary rangers on Tuesday. Highly charged supporters of Khan, belonging to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party, blocked the Airport Road neighbourhood in Quetta to protest against the arrest of Imran Khan.
The police fired at the protesters, killing a PTI worker and injuring three police officers, resulting in enraged demonstrators burning two police vehicles and pelting stones. They blocked national highways in Balochistan linking the country to neighbouring Iran and Afghanistan, leading to the Balochistan government imposing Section 144 to maintain order.
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Protests of PTI Supportters against the Arrest of Imran Khan
PTI leader Qasim Suri confirmed that a PTI worker was “martyred” in Quetta during protests against the arrest of arrest of Imran Khan, former Prime Minster and Party Chairman on Tuesday.
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The government banned all kinds of political rallies and display of weapons, and Balochistan Home Minister, Ziaullah Langove, stressed that no one would be allowed to take the law into their hands, and the government’s writ would be ensured at all costs.
The unrest caused the Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, to summon the federal cabinet meeting on Tuesday at 6:00 pm to address the country’s current economic and political instability.
Section 144 Enforced Across Punjab
To maintain law and order after reports of arson and violent protests from different parts of the province, the interim provincial government enforced Section 144 across Punjab on Tuesday for two days following the arrest of Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
The order cited the ongoing protests and rallies following the arrest of “a political leader,” posing security threats, disrupting traffic and causing inconvenience to the public.
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The home department issued a notification explaining the need to impose Section 144 on all kinds of assemblies, gatherings, sits-in, rallies, processions, demonstrations, jalsas, dharnas, protests, and similar activities across the province of Punjab to avert any untoward incident. The order is effective immediately and will remain in force for two days.
Strict Action Against Anti-Social Elements
The Islamabad administration imposed Section 144 in the territory, and the police warned of strict action against anti-social elements violating it in the federal capital. The police advised people to use alternate routes to reach their destinations, as traffic congestion was observed between Koral and Khanna Bridge Stops at the Islamabad Expressway.
Lehtrar Road and Peshawar Road can be used alternatively. Traffic was also interrupted near Faizabad interchange and diverted towards Murree Road. In Peshawar, Section 144 was imposed for 30 days following the arrest of Imran Khan. The district administration is empowered to issue orders in the public interest that may place restrictions on people.
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Nationwide Protests and Chaos
- One man killed and a dozen others wounded during protests against the arrest of Imran Khan
- Supporters of Khan block the Airport Road neighborhood in Quetta to protest his arrest
- A firing incident occurred inside the PTI rally, killing a PTI worker
- Protesters burnt two police vehicles and pelted stones while the police fired tear gas to disperse them
Demands and Accusations
- Munir Baloch, president of the Balochistan wing of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), accused the police of firing on the protesters
- Enraged demonstrators demanded an investigation into the incident
- PTI leader Qasim Suri confirmed that a PTI worker was “martyred” in Quetta during protests the arrest of Imran Khan Ex Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Security Measures and Section 144
- The Balochistan government imposed Section 144 to maintain order
- The interim provincial government enforced Section 144 across Punjab for two days following the rising unrest
- The imposition of Section 144 is a response to escalating unrest and a measure to maintain law and order
- The interim provincial government also issued a notification for the imposition of Section 144 across the province
Prime Minister Summons Cabinet Meeting
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif summoned the federal cabinet meeting at 6:00 pm on today
- The cabinet meeting was summoned amid the current economic and political unrest in the country
Zero Tolerance for Lawbreakers
- Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah issued a warning on Tuesday and said that the state will show zero tolerance for lawbreakers who are damaging public and private properties
- The imposition of Section 144 is a measure to maintain law and order after reports of arson and violent protests from different parts of the province