3 killed, 500 hurt in anti- Sharif protest
Imran Khan vows to continue with protest Protesting parties claim 8 people killed by police RIFT IN IMRAN’S PARTY OVER RALLY, 4 LEADERS EXPELLED
Hundreds of protesters and policemen were wounded and at least three died as Pakistan Tehrik- eInsaf and the Pakistan Awami Tehrik marchers tried to storm the Prime Minister’s House and the Parliament buildings.
“Three people have been confirmed dead and over 500 have been wounded in the clashes,” a police official said.
The protesting parties however, claimed 8 people had been killed by the “barbaric” police.
The PTI and the PAT had been staging a massive sit- in in front of the Parliament for the last several days but on Saturday night decided to shift their protests to the main gate of the Prime Minister’s House which resulted in clash with the riot police.
The clashes continued on Sunday as the protesters pelted stones on the police who in response used tear gas to disperse them.
The police and protesters also used force against the media. At least seven mobile vans of different media outlets were attacked, injuring several journalists.
Addressing his supporters on Sunday, Imran Khan said, “I will not leave my people alone and keep fighting until we secure a real independence for Pakistan.”
“Sharif brothers have a lust for power. They are not sincere with the people and the country. We will get their resignations and put them in jails,” he added. He said that first information reports will be registered against PM Nawaz Sharif, Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif and interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.
Later, PAT leader Tahirul Qadri said that tear gas affected his eyes and throat “that is why I did not address the party workers”. Mr Qadri said “My eyes were affected as I recently went through a surgery of eyes in Canada. Islamabad, Aug. 31: Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreeki- Insaf party on Sunday suffered a major setback after party president and senior politician Javed Hashmi was expelled after he criticised the cricketerturned- politician’s decision to march to the official residence of Premier Nawaz Sharif.
Mr Khan also expelled three lawmakers who refused to resign from Parliament. Mr Hashmi last night refused to join the march towards Prime Minister’s House, saying it was against the collective party decision and would result in bloodshed.
“The decision to march to parliament was taken by Khan himself in violation of party decision,” he said. “This kind of behaviour is not seen in any country in the world, where people pick up sticks and protest outside the PM House,” Mr Hashmi said, adding Khan’s decisions would lead to imposition of martial law in the country.