Pakistan Cracks Down on Pro-Imran Protests

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Pakistani authorities arrested over 250 supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party during nationwide demonstrations marking two years since his imprisonment. Police used tear gas to disperse crowds in Karachi and Muzaffarabad while detaining nine provincial lawmakers in Lahore, including senior PTI figure Rehana Dar. The crackdown highlights ongoing political tensions gripping the nuclear-armed nation.

The protests turned violent in multiple cities as PTI workers attempted to block major roadways. Lahore police officials confirmed at least 30 arrests for disrupting public order, with Deputy Inspector General Faisal Kamran defending the security response as necessary to maintain law and order. The detained Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs) represent a significant escalation in the government’s suppression of opposition voices.

Analysts observe these developments reflect Pakistan’s deepening political crisis since Khan’s 2022 ouster. The former cricket star’s imprisonment on charges his supporters claim are politically motivated has galvanized his base despite severe crackdowns. With general elections looming, the government appears determined to neutralize PTI’s organizational capabilities through preemptive arrests and suppression of dissent.

As Pakistan’s political standoff intensifies, concerns grow about the country’s democratic trajectory. The mass arrests and suppression of peaceful assembly rights risk further radicalizing Khan’s supporters and undermining political stability. With neither side showing willingness to compromise, Pakistan appears headed for prolonged turmoil that could have serious consequences for regional security and its fragile economy. The world watches anxiously as this nuclear power navigates its latest political crisis.