Authorities clamp down on protesters as Pakistan opposition party takes to streets
ISLAMABAD (AA) – Pakistani authorities clamped down on protesters Friday as the main opposition party held rallies across the country.
Tens of thousands of supporters of the incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan protested in cities across Pakistan, including Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar.
Videos on social media showed police using heavy tear gas and batons to disperse rallies, arresting dozens of Khan’s supporters. Protesters were seen throwing rocks at riot police.
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) is demanding his release, as well as “independence of the judiciary” and protection of the Constitution.
Khan, 72, is jailed in Rawalpindi and seeking bail in multiple cases ranging from corruption to terrorism. He denies all charges. Courts have already set aside two of his convictions and suspended a third. Since Oct. 3, Pakistani authorities have banned all communication and meetings with Khan, including visits from family members.
The former cricket star was ousted from power through a no-confidence vote in April 2022.
The PTI claims that the government is blocking the senior-most Supreme Court judge from becoming Chief Justice and plans to appoint the top judge from a panel of three or five judges, which could undermine judicial independence.
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