Midnight Crackdown and Protest End
On Tuesday night, November 24, a violent crackdown by security forces brought an abrupt end to the sit-in protest staged by PTI supporters at D-Chowk. Following days of protest that began on Sunday, thousands of demonstrators had successfully gathered at the symbolic site in Islamabad, demanding the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Security agencies, under the cover of darkness, opened fire on the protesters, using live rounds and heavy force to evacuate the area. PTI leaders called the operation a “massacre” under what they described as a “fascist military regime.”
Casualties and Arrests
According to police sources, 950 protesters were arrested, with more detentions expected in the coming days. PTI claims that the intent of the crackdown was to “kill as many people as possible,” with dozens of their supporters shot & injured during the operation. The clashes also resulted in the deaths of six security personnel and left dozens injured PTI Supporters.
PTI’s Condemnation
PTI issued a scathing statement, calling the event an “assault on democracy” and holding the interior minister responsible for “publicly threatening protesters with violence and celebrating the massacre.” The party equated the bloodshed in Islamabad to the 1971 carnage in East Pakistan, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the regime’s inhumanity.
Timeline of Events
• Sunday, November 24: PTI begins its protest march to Islamabad, demanding justice and Imran Khan’s release.
• Tuesday Evening, November 25: PTI supporters clash with police but successfully reach D-Chowk for a sit-in.
• Midnight, November 26: Security forces launch a violent crackdown, firing live rounds and arresting hundreds.
Historical Parallels and Public Outrage
The massacre at D-Chowk has drawn widespread outrage on social media and among the public. Hashtags like #IslamabadMassacre and #JusticeForPTISupporters trended globally as citizens condemned the use of excessive force against unarmed protesters. PTI leaders compared the incident to historic tragedies, drawing parallels with the violent suppression in East Pakistan in 1971.
This incident will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on Pakistan’s political landscape, further polarizing the nation and deepening the divide between the people and the state.
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