Former Pakistani PM Imran Khan's Supporting Clash, One Policeman Dies

UNSPLASH/Hugo Delauney ILLUSTRATION

One policeman was killed and dozens injured when supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan clashed with security forces outside the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.

As reported by Reuters on Monday, November 25, authorities imposed a security lockdown over the past two days to blockade the protesters Khan asked to move to parliament demanding his release.

Authorities used shipping containers to block main roads in Islamabad, mostly police and paramilitary personnel wearing antihuru-hara equipment.

Officials and witnesses said all public transport between the city and the terminal had also been closed in the eastern province ofTEN to prevent protesters, led by members of the Pakistan party Tereek-e-Insaf (PTI) led by Khan.

"We will not let them invade the capital," said Provincial Information Minister Uzma Bukhari.

A police officer was shot and 70 others injured in clashes with protesters outside Islamabad.

There have been reports of several other clashes elsewhere in the province, he said.

Khan's party said a number of its workers were also injured.

The capital strengthened its extra layer of security ahead of the visit of Belarusian president Aleksandr Lukashenko on Monday.

Khan's party accused the government of using violent tactics to deter protesters, and said Pakistani authorities arrested hundreds of workers and leaders.

They even fired live bullets, one of Khan's aides, Shaukat Yousafzai, told Geo News TV broadcaster.

Meetings in any form in Islamabad are prohibited. Authorities closed all schools in Islamabad and the nearby state town of Rawalpindi, while internet services and WhatsApp messages also slowed down.