Through Imran Khan’s evolution from global sports star to anti-corruption crusader and to prime minister of Pakistan — and then to outsider after his ouster in 2022 — his ability to mobilize huge street protests through social media has been a potent tool to pressure his opponents.
But few protests have reached the intensity of the clashes of the past few days as his supporters marched to the capital, Islamabad, and demanded his release from prison. On Tuesday, government officials called out the army and gave it free rein to fire on protesters after six members of the security forces were killed.
Again, Pakistan’s capital has become a battleground.
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Supporters of the imprisoned former prime minister, Imran Khan, throwing stones at the police in Islamabad on Tuesday.
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Scenes from a government security point in the city.
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A protester using a slingshot to fight police officers.
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Supporters of Mr. Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, in Hasan Abdal, in Punjab Province, on Monday.
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A police officer firing rubber bullets and tear gas to try to break up the crowds.
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Shipping containers have become a barricade of choice for officials in Islamabad.
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More video from behind the police lines.
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Officers rapidly moving riot-shield picket lines from spot to spot.
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Protesters gathered and waged combat against police officers in Ghazi, a village about 90 kilometers northeast of Islamabad, on Sunday.