Imran Khan calls off protest march with 6-day ultimatum to Sharif govt
Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan called off his massive protest march with this ultimatum to the Sharif government: Announce elections and dissolve assemblies within six days or he will again march on the capital along with 2 million people.
“I am giving you six days,” Khan said addressing his supporters on the central Jinnah Avenue early Thursday. “If you don’t do it after six days, I will return,” he said.
Imran Khan earlier announced that he would stage a sit-in in Islamabad until the government announces elections. But on May 26 morning, he said that he has decided to call off the protest after seeing excessive use of police force against peaceful protestors, saying “they [government] is pushing the nation towards anarchy” and trying to create a divide between the nation and police and army.
Khan said that five of his supporters were killed in the violence across the country.
The government also summoned troops to guard important buildings, including the parliament and offices of the president and prime minister.
Islamabad D Chowk area witnessed ruthless and hours of tear gas shelling on protestors, including women and children.
Islambad police was also blamed for usind expired tear gas on demonstrators during PTI’s ‘Haqeeqi Azadi March’ protest.
Pakistani police fired teargas, baton-charged and detained supporters of Khan in several cities including Islamabad, Rawalpidi, Lahore and Karachi to stop them from reaching the protests sites in their cities. Clashes between Khan’s supporters and police were reported in multiple cities
The Supreme Court had ordered the federal government and the PTI to constitute negotiating committees and meet by May 25 ight to finalize modalities for the peaceful coduct long march to the capital. However, negotiations were not held.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imra Khan was ousted in a no-confidece vote o April 10. Khan claims the no-trust vote was the result of a US conspiracy, and he is demanding a fresh elections.
Key updates:
- Imran Khan led a march of thousands of people from Peshawar to Islamabad on May 25
- Imran Khan gives six-day deadline to dissolve assemblies and announce date for polls
- 5 PTI supporters killed in clashes with police while 8 police Islamabad police personnel and injured
- Govt called in the army late night to maintain law and order in the capital
- Nearly 1,700 people arrested in 4,417 swoops on PTI supporters, says Interior Minister