Imran marches on Islamabad as Pakistan simmers
Press Trust of India
ISLAMABAD: A defiant former prime minister Imran Khan on Wednesday marched towards Islamabad with hundreds of supporters removing barricades placed by the government to stop them, even as Pakistan’s Supreme Court directed authorities to allow the protest rally and restrained them from arresting the cricketer-turned politician. A three-member bench headed by Justice Ijazul Ahsan, and comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi ordered that the ground between G-9 and H-9 Sectors of the national capital be provided for the rally by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf (PTI) party. The court also instructed authorities to not make “unnecessary use of force”, raid homes and offices of or arrest PTI leaders and workers.
Meanwhile, Khan started his march from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with a large caravan to demand the removal of the government and an immediate national election. “No amount of state oppression and fascism by this imported govt can stop or deter our march,” tweeted the 69-year-old former premier. Khan, who was ousted from power last month through a no-trust vote, had apparently lost support of the Army after he refused to endorse the appointment of the ISI spy agency chief last year. He claimed the no-trust motion against him was the result of a “foreign conspiracy” and named the US as the country behind it, a charge denied by Washington.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s coalition government initially allowed the protest, but on Tuesday refused to give permission, fearing violence and lawlessness in the wake of the march. Earlier in the day, police fired tear gas and chased Khan’s supporters who hurled stones near Punjab’s capital Lahore, leaving several injured. Clashes between police and Khan’s supporters were also reported at several places.
A crackdown started in various cities, with police arresting hundreds of PTI workers and some of its leaders to stop them from joining the protest. TV channels showed the police firing teargas and beating Khan’s supporters at some places in Punjab province.
The government imposed Section 144 to ban big gatherings in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Karachi, and other major cities. Additional police and paramilitary troops were deployed on roads leading to Islamabad. new duty on export of iron ore – from earlier 30%
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