Islamabad: Four paramilitary personnel and two policemen have been killed and over 100 security personnel injured as the protest by supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan turned violent prompting the federal government to deploy the army in the national capital along with shoot at sight orders on Tuesday, state-run media said.
Pakistan deployed the army amid a tense stand-off with Khan's supporters from his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) pushing forward by removing hurdles on their way to Islamabad's D-Chowk venue as the government vowed to foil their attempt “even if a curfew needs to be imposed.”
Radio Pakistan said a vehicle rammed into Pakistan Rangers personnel killing four Rangers officials on the Srinagar Highway in Islamabad late on Monday night. Five other Rangers personnel and several police officials too sustained severe injuries.
About five kilometres from this spot, a bunch of miscreants, equipped with weapons and ammunition, pelted stones on the Rangers personnel and carried out indiscriminate firing on the security personnel at Chungi No 26 in Rawalpindi, Radio Pakistan said.
It also reported that two policemen were killed but didn't provide any details.
According to Punjab police, one policeman was killed at Hakla interchange on Islamabad outskirts during clashes with the PTI protestors on Monday but it also did not give details about the second policeman.
Separately, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said, at a late night media interaction, that more than one hundred security personnel, mostly from police, were injured and added: “One senior police officer (SP) was critically injured – he suffered a severe head injury -- due to stone-pelting by protesters.”
Radio Pakistan further reported that the Pakistan Army was called in “to deal with the miscreants with an iron hand” and “clear orders have also been issued to shoot miscreants and troublemakers on sight.”
Strongly condemning the attack on Rangers and police personnel by protesters, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a statement, directed to immediately identify those involved in the incident and ensure they are brought to justice.
“Attacks on police and Rangers, under the guise of a so-called peaceful protest, are condemnable,” he said, adding, the anarchist group seeks bloodshed and “Pakistan cannot afford any form of chaos or bloodshed. Bloodshed for nefarious political agenda is unacceptable and highly condemnable.”
He also instructed to provide the best possible medical facilities to those injured.
Interior Minister Naqvi said the government had offered an alternative venue to the protestors to stage their activity at Sangjani in the suburbs of the capital and apparently Khan has also agreed to it.
Despite permission given by Khan, “maybe there is a leadership above Imran Khan who has refused to accept this,” he claimed and confirmed that talks were going on with the PTI to resolve the issue and that the PTI leaders were allowed to meet Khan twice on Monday to get his input.
The government is waiting for a formal response to its offer of an alternative venue for protest and “we are now waiting for PTI’s response before taking further steps,” Naqvi added.
Naqvi also warned that “come what may, the PTI would not be allowed to stage a protest at D Chowk and even hinted of imposing a curfew if needed.”
Security sources also said that all necessary measures are being taken to counter terrorist activities by disruptive and extremist elements. “All the miscreants are also being identified to bring them to justice,” the sources added.
Meanwhile, the PTI accused the authorities of using violence in which several of its supporters have been injured. A PTI spokesman told BBC Urdu that at least two supporters have also been killed but it was not confirmed from other sources so far.
Khan, 72, the PTI founder, has been in jail since August 5, 2023, and had given the ‘final call’ for the protest to force the authorities to release all prisoners, including himself, and also restore the alleged stolen mandate or victory of his party in February 8 elections as well as rescind the last month's 26th constitutional amendment allowing the government more powers over judiciary.
Earlier on Sunday, led by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, the PTI supporters began their journey from the militancy-hit province with a mission to make it to D-Chowk in the national capital but faced obstacles on the roads.
The D-Chowk, close to several important government buildings: the Presidency, the PM Office, the Parliament, and the Supreme Court, is a prime location in the national capital.
The authorities had blocked the highways by placing shipping containers but the protestors accompanied by lifting equipment and other heavy machines worked their way by removing hurdles, but the hurdles did skittle their speed and plans.
The convoy entered Islamabad from Sangjani toll plaza. The party also shared footage of the KP convoy in Islamabad’s limits.
The government already banned rallies by imposing Section 144, a colonial era law used to outlaw political activities, as a high level delegation from Belarus was visiting Pakistan.
At least one policeman was killed and dozen others injured in clashes on Monday as thousands of the PTI protestors entered the territorial jurisdiction of the national capital. In one of the clashes, a policeman was killed at the Hakla interchange on Islamabad outskirts.
Another constable of the Sargodha police was injured due to “firing by miscreants” and was being treated, local media said, adding, dozens of other policemen too were injured in the clashes, but exact details were not available.
As the convoy entered the capital territory in the evening, Bushra Bibi said in a video message: “My brothers, as long as Imran is not with us, we will not end this march.”
Meanwhile, as announced on Monday, all public and private educational institutions would remain closed in view of the law and order situation both at Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
Khan has been implicated in dozens of cases since his government was dismissed through a no-confidence motion in 2022. He has been in Adiala Jail at Rawalpindi since last year facing over 200 cases.
His party won the largest number of seats in the February general elections despite contesting as independents as the party was denied an election symbol.
The party founder has alleged that the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and its coalition partners, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), had “stolen the mandate” to grab power at the federal level.
Comments
May Allah grant him Jannatul Firdous. He was an ideal for many, Respected by both Muslims and Non-Muslims. Loss for Mangalore community, a peace bearer has passed away. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un.
Great personality. I knew Moulana Syed Yusuf Saheb since my college days in 1969 and I have attended many of his Friday Jumaa sermons (Qutbahs) at Kachi Meman Masjid in Bunder, Mangalore. He used keep a good relationships with youngsters and inspire and encourage them to carry out the noble deeds for the betterment of communities and the society.
May Allah forgive him and accept all his good deeds. May Allah bless him with the bounties of Jannatul Firdous. May Allah give sabr to the grieved family to bear the loss of their dear one.
Innaa Lillahi Wa Innaa Ilaihi Rajivoon. Heartfelt Condolences.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilihi rajiwoon . Alhamdulillah, I am fortunate enough to have met & benefited from both of you. May Almighty bless today's imams/moulana's with wisdom similar to that of Moulana Yusuf saheb.
Allah SWT please accept his service to islam, to mankind, may grant him magfirah and cause him to enter highest level of Jannah. Aameen.
May Allah reward my grandfather with Jannatul Firdaus!!
Alhumdulillah, he has done so much good in his life.
He was one of the most generous and pious people I've ever known.
May Allah give us the guidance like my grand father to follow the righteous path to practice n preach! Indeed he was is n insha Allah vl b a grt personality ! Very soft spoken very humble down to earth personality !! May Allah accept his good deeds his work n forgive his mistakes n save him from fitnah of barzaq n grant him peace in his abode n grant him the glad tidings of jannah !! Ameen !! We will miss our nana dearly
*Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raajioun*, may almighty allah bless late moulana syed yusuf saheb,
With jannathul firdouse, aameen. He was one of the rare islamic scholars, with rich bundle & store of knoweldge of deen and duniya, keeping a very low profile and non-controversial & a broad minded humanitarian. Indeed, in his death the muslims of mangalore / d.k.dist / udupi dist, in particular and others in general, are deprived of a high thinking and simple living scholar in this modern era. As holy quran says *kullu nafsin zaayikathul mouth*(every living soul has to taste death)., each & every one of us has to face & taste death, when our living term ends in this world. But in this joureny between life and death, we have to live with our noble living and leave this temporary world to the ever lasting eternal world, with the memory to be cherished with, by the living masses. May almighty allah give strength, patience and forebearance to the family members of late moulana syed yusuf saheb, to bear the bear the brunt of bereavement, aameen. May almighty allah guide & protect all of us, aameen.
Very true brother
Aameen.. absolutely true
Exactly.. absolutely true
Very well said.. absolutely true...
Inna lillahi wa Inna ilaihi raajioon. He certainly was a testament of not just an amazing Muslim but also an amazing human being. he was a man of complete integrity.. he was someone who did not have even an ounce of pride and was an extremely down to earth person.... I consider myself extremely fortunate to have known him so very well and to have learnt all the immense knowledge from him.. he has departed from this dunya but he will remain in our hearts perennially. May Allah grant him jannathul Firdous. Aameen
End of era. No Muslim youth who attended his sermons can go astray. We need scholars like him to educate and enlighten Muslim youth and prevent them from going astray. May allah accept all his deeds and reward him immensely.
يَا أَيَّتُهَا النَّفْسُ الْمُطْمَئِنَّةُ ارْجِعِي إِلَى رَبِّكِ رَاضِيَةً مَرْضِيَّةً فَادْخُلِي فِي عِبَادِي وَادْخُلِي جَنَّتِي
Moulana was great personality. Embodiment of simple living high thinking. Lived upto what he preached. Remained non controversial all his life. Very knowledgeable but extremely humble. His moderate and unique style of delivering khutbah impressed many,including me . He was taking keen interest in current affairs and concerned about global status of ummah. He always motivated me with his superlative appreciation and generous words. Always encourged me to deliver khutbas in his place , whenever I was in Mangalore. May Allah give him highest abode in Jannah
Innalillahi Wa Inna Ilahi Rajivoon. May Allah grant him magfirath and mashrat. I remember Moulavi Saab as a soft spoken, kind hearted,highly knowledable person but with down to earth approach. Moulavi Saab always make it a point to attend " Bearys Welfare Forum "- Abu Dhabi, arranged mass marriages at Mangalore ,and encouraged us to do more to the poor and needy in the society.
My usthad. The one who guided me and helped me to change my life. Inna lillahi va inna ilaihi rajivoon. May allah grant him one of the highest positions in jannah.
Very said. This is a loss not only for Muslim community, but also for all communities in Mangaluru. He was a true religious leader. May his soul rest in peace.
Innalillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Rajiwoon.
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