Protests in Islamabad Demand Imran Khan's Release

Protests erupted on the outskirts of Islamabad as demonstrators demanded the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, currently jailed since August last year. The protests intensified with Khan's supporters defying a police-imposed lockdown, inciting clashes that involved police firing tear gas and rubber bullets, while protesters retaliated with sticks and slingshots. The situation escalated as protesters, having moved into the city towards a key area called Zero Point, faced opposition from law enforcement. The Interior Minister offered an alternate venue for the protests, which was rejected, prompting supporters to push further into the capital. Caroline Davis reported that these events unfolded over several days, with significant pressure exerted by Khan's supporters. Bushra Bibi, Khan’s wife, emerged as a pivotal figure in the protests, encouraging demonstrators to persist until Khan is released. Khan's imprisonment is echoed in Pakistan's historical cycles of political leaders being jailed, further adding a complex layer to the public's perception of the current events, as many see it as a repetition of past political struggles in the country.