November 2024 Islamabad unrest

On 26 November 2024, supporters of former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan clashed with police in Islamabad. At least six people were killed in the violence,^[1][2] and hundreds were injured.^[3]

A violent crackdown by Pakistani security forces on supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad resulted in significant casualties. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party described the incident as a "massacre," claiming that hundreds of its members were killed as police fired live ammunition during the protests, which had escalated since November 24.^[4][5] Reports indicate at least four deaths and numerous injuries among both protesters and security personnel. The government denied using live rounds, asserting that the situation was under control after clearing the protest area.^[6][7]

On 13 November 2024, Imran Khan issued a “final call” for a protest at D-Chowk, Islamabad from his imprisonment in Adiala Jail. The announcement was particularly in response to the Twenty-sixth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan, which was criticized for undermining the Judiciary while Khan and his party strongly opposed it.^[8][9] Furthermore, the announcement was made with demands to end the Sharif government’s alleged “unjust arrests” and “stolen mandate”, which refers to PTI’s claim that PML-N rigged the 2024 Pakistani general election.^[10][11] Khan’s aides, his sister Aleema Khanum and Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur urged Pakistanis to follow the protest call, which also was for Khan’s release.^[11][12]

Ahead of the protests, Pakistani Law Enforcement and the Government locked down the capital: Islamabad, fortressing the capital with many shipping containers and the deployment of thousands of armed security personnel and paramilitary forces. Several highways and roads leading to the city were also blocked and barricaded by the government in attempt to prevent protesters from entering the capital.^[13][14]

On 22 November 2024, Section 144 was imposed by the Punjab government of Maryam Nawaz, barring sit-ins, rallies or protests for 3 days officially due to security concerns ahead of the protests.^[15] Prior to the protest, 4,000 PTI supporters and members were arrested and detained by the government.^[16] The same day, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) declared that PTI’s protest was unlawful and it was necessary for the government to “maintain law and order”.^[17]

Mobile internet and access to messaging services such as WhatsApp were blocked by the government in areas of Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The organization NetBlocks confirmed this alongside media sharing issues across the country.^[13][14][18]

Bushra Bibi, Imran Khan's third wife, She led thousands of PTI supporters into Islamabad, breaching security barricades.^[19] Addressed the public near D-Chowk (Democracy Chowk), vowing to hold a sit-in until Khan's release. Insisted on holding the protest at a central location near parliament, against Khan's instructions. Her active involvement marked a shift from her previously private role.^[20][21][22]

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf initiated the protest on 24 November 2024 through several convoys across the country heading for D-Chowk by road. The largest and main convoy, led by Ali Amin Gandapur and Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi left from Peshawar. The convoy also included PTI lawmaker Shahid Ahmed Khattak.^[23] The convoy would go through Swabi and cross the Hazara Interchange through removing police obstacles and barriers, then cross the Hakkla Interchange, through to reaching Islamabad.^[24][25] PTI spokesman Sheikh Waqas Akram claimed the number of people to be 70,000 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone.^[26] PTI supporters defied government lockdowns and clashed with police. Bushra Bibi addressed crowds from atop a truck near D-Chowk. The protest turned violent, resulting in at least six deaths. Security forces conducted a midnight raid on supporters.^{[3][19][27][28]}

The Government of Pakistan, Pakistan Police, Pakistan Armed Forces and Pakistan Rangers initiated a crackdown on the protests.^[29] Heavy tear gas shelling was initially fired at protesters prior to reaching Islamabad.^[30] Protestors reached the edge of the Red Zone resulting in deadly clashes with police. By the end of 27 November, six people were reported to be killed as the protests turned into violent clashes. Four of these were paramilitary forces and two police serving the government. 100 policemen were also reported to be injured.^[31][32] The Guardian reported that the government had been criticized for a “draconian response”.^[33] The government arrested 1,000 protesters.^[34][35] Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif labelled the protesters as “bloodthirsty”, further saying that it is not a peaceful protest, it is extremism.^[36] The Pakistan Armed Forces were deployed with orders of shoot-on-sight for the protesters.^[37][38][39]

PTI and its supporters claimed that the government committed a "massacre", smothering protestors and firing live rounds to kill protesters in their midnight crackdown, with the arrest of 450 party supporters.^{[40][41][42][43]} The government has denied using live rounds. Pakistan's security forces have been accused of pushing a man off a stack of cargo containers during the protests in the capital. Video footage showed officers carrying riot shields with markings indicating they were affiliated with the Pakistan Rangers, approaching the man kneeling while praying on top of the containers before pushing him over the edge. The video shows him trying to cling on to the containers before falling.^[44] The protests were officially suspended by the party following the midnight crackdown.^[45][46]

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2024)

Amnesty International called for an “urgent and transparent” investigation into the crackdown which it called deadly for the protesters.^[47] The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres deplored the violence in the protests, and called for calm and restraint on all sides.^[48][49]