violence broke out in pakistan imran khan supporters took to the streets created a ruckus

Supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan demanding the release of his jailed leader smashed sealed shipping containers in the capital Islamabad on Tuesday, while at least six people were killed in protest-related violence. Protesters fought off security forces and ignored government threats to respond with gunfire. Due to this the government had to give orders to shoot at sight.

Clashes broke out when protesters demanding Imran Khan’s release entered the capital Islamabad late on Monday, defying efforts by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government to stop the nationwide protests. The protest march led by Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi began on Sunday and reached Islamabad by Monday evening. The protests continued till Tuesday and the protesters resumed their march to D-Chowk, close to several strategic buildings in the capital.

Videos on social media showed Imran Khan’s supporters marching wearing gas masks and protective goggles amid heavy security deployment, making travel between Islamabad and other cities almost impossible. Ambulances and cars were seen turning back from areas along the major Grand Trunk Road highway in Punjab province, where shipping containers were used to block roads.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack on Tuesday, saying an anarchist group was deliberately targeting law enforcement personnel. There was no claim of responsibility for the collision. A police officer was killed in a separate incident. Shortly after midnight, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi threatened that security forces would retaliate if protesters fired weapons at them. “If they open fire again, they will be retaliated with bullets,” he said. This means that the police has given orders to shoot at sight.