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Authorities in Pakistan have reopened roads connecting the capital, Islamabad, with the rest of the country after a four-day lockdown. The lockdown was imposed due to clashes between security forces and supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The supporters had marched to Islamabad to demand his release from prison.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that all roads were reopened and the demonstrators had been dispersed after tear gas was used and shots were fired into the air to control the situation. Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, who was leading the protest, along with other demonstrators, fled in vehicles when police pushed back against the rallygoers, resulting in at least seven deaths.
The police operation came after thousands of Khan supporters breached a barrier of shipping containers to enter a high-security zone in Islamabad, where they clashed with security forces. Tension had been high in the capital since Sunday when the supporters began a “long march” from the northwest to demand Khan’s release.
Hundreds of demonstrators were arrested, and Bibi and other party leaders fled to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where Khan’s party still rules. Khan, a popular opposition figure, was ousted in 2022 through a no-confidence vote in Parliament. The party claims the criminal cases against him are politically motivated.
The situation has highlighted the political divisions in Pakistan, as supporters of Khan continue to push for his release and challenge the government’s actions.
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