Supporters of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan have taken to the streets of Islamabad demanding his release from jail, despite a ban on protests and a police crackdown. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party claims that party leader Ali Amin Gandapur has been unlawfully detained, leading to further tensions between protesters and authorities.
Gandapur, the chief minister of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, was leading a group of protesters on the Islamabad-Peshawar highway when police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. This comes as part of a series of protests organized by the opposition PTI party, which has faced a crackdown from authorities.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi accused the protesters of clashing with police, resulting in injuries to over 80 officers. Naqvi had previously urged the PTI to delay their protests until after a diplomatic meeting in the city, but the demonstrations went ahead.
Amnesty International has criticized the communication cuts and road blockades, calling it a clampdown on the right to protest in Pakistan. The situation remains tense as Khan is still in jail, facing various charges that his supporters claim are politically motivated.
Despite facing challenges, PTI activists continue to show their support for Khan, with protests also taking place in Lahore. The situation is closely monitored as the tensions between authorities and protesters continue to escalate.
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