In a dramatic reversal, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf announced the suspension of its high-stakes Islamabad protest early on Wednesday following intense clashes between supporters and security forces in the Red Zone of the city. The protest, with heavy tear gas and considerable confrontation, claimed multiple casualties.
The party’s official X account shared the decision to call off the protest. It was stated that the reason for the suspension was “government brutality” and a plan to “turn the capital into a slaughterhouse.” It added that the future strategy of PTI would be decided after consultations with Imran Khan, the imprisoned party leader.
As tensions began to build late Tuesday, PTI activists tried to cross barricades at D-Chowk. The security forces resorted to tear gas and rubber bullets that claimed at least two lives of civilians while leaving over 60 others, including security personnel, injured. This has been confirmed by the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences; other cases are reported from Polyclinic.
PTI leadership, which includes Bushra Bibi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, appealed to supporters to withdraw temporarily amid the chaos. A party statement condemned the alleged killings and sought Chief Justice Yahya Afridi to take suo motu notice of the situation, demanding legal action against top government officials.
Six people lost their lives during the three-day protest – a policeman and Rangers personnel were among the dead, along with hundreds of arrests. PTI claimed eight workers were fatally shot, asserting the party’s struggle had been peaceful despite severe state actions.
While suspending the protest, PTI again reiterated its commitment to the “haqeeqi azadi” movement and thanked its supporters nationwide and abroad. The government, however, remained firm in maintaining order, by deploying the army in Islamabad to counter “miscreants.
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