Islamabad Blockade: One Dead, 150 Injured During Violent Clashes Between Pakistani Forces And Islamist Protesters - JPKee.com

Islamabad, Nov 25: At least one died and 150 were injured on Saturday in Pakistan during violent clashes between police and paramilitary forces and Islamist activists of Tehreek-e-Labaik, a hardline party. The clashes broke out when 4000 officers launched an operation to disperse at least 1000 hardline activists blocking main highways leading to the capital Islamabad.

The security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets as the protesters continued to block the roads to Islamabad. The blockage has paralysed the capital and blocked the traffic on the Islamabad Expressway since November 6. A police officer was killed in action after a rock hit his head. The injured, including 93 security personnel, have been taken to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad. The security personnel were hit with stones thrown by protesters.

Dozens were arrested. Over 8,000 security personnel engaged in the operation against around 2,000 protesters, a report said.

The operation was launched after Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued contempt of court notice against Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal as he failed to clear the roads off the protesters. The protesters have been demanding the resignation of Pakistan’s law minister Zahid Hamid over changes made in the finality of prophethood oath in the Elections Act 2017 passed in September 2017.

The Pakistani government has blocked social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube amid the ongoing operation against protesters. All the news channels have also been suspended.

Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa talked to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and asked him for a peaceful solution to the problem.

Following the protests in Islamabad, protests in other cities were also reported. Karachi Police said nearly 200 protesters blocked a major road in the southern port. Nine people were injured and taken to a nearby hospital, doctors said.

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Author - Vikash Kumar