Thousands of protesters breach government district during Lukashenko's visit to Pakistan's capital
Mass protests by Imran Khan's supporters reached Islamabad's Red Zone during Alexander Lukashenko's official visit, intensifying the political crisis.
Photo: wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA 4.0
On November 26, massive protests erupted in Islamabad by supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been in custody since August 2023 on corruption charges, reports AP News.
The demonstration coincided with an official visit by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who arrived for talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to information published on the official website of the Belarusian government.
Protesters waving flags of the "Tehreek-e-Insaf" party broke through barriers of shipping containers blocking the Red Zone — an area housing government buildings.
The primary demand of the demonstrators was the immediate release of Imran Khan, whom they describe as the only leader capable of pulling the country out of its political and economic crisis.
Police used tear gas and warning shots against the protesters, but it failed to deter thousands of demonstrators, including Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, who led the march.
Clashes with security forces resulted in five deaths, including four police officers. Dozens were injured, including journalists.
Amid the protests, authorities shut down internet and mobile communications to limit the demonstrators' coordination. Meanwhile, Lukashenko and Sharif discussed trade and economic cooperation.
Key topics of the talks included the development of mechanical engineering, agriculture, and the defense industry. Following the meeting, the parties signed a partnership agreement until 2027.
The protests continue unabated despite casualties and road blockades. Demonstrators vow to keep up their actions until their leader is released.
Lukashenko's visit drew international attention to the crisis as Pakistani authorities struggle to maintain control, balancing domestic challenges with foreign policy considerations.
Earlier, it was reported that Canada tightened sanctions against Belarus, marking the anniversary of the 2020 elections. The updated list included Lukashenko's youngest son and several major state-owned companies.
It was also reported that Poland completely halted truck traffic through the last border crossing with Belarus, "Kozlovichi," leading to a sharp increase in queues at the border.