New Delhi: A day after the arrest of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan by the Pakistani Rangers, the country remains on the boil as widespread incidents of arson, rioting & violence have been reported from many parts. Imran’s supporters hit the streets, launched violent protests and protested for his immediate release. Many such videos of arson & rioting are reportedly being shared by Pakistani citizens on social media, despite an internet ban in the country.
What pushed Pakistan on the edge was the dramatic arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan from outside the Islamabad High Court on Tuesday. As the Pakistani rangers nabbed him from the court premises, this prompted lakhs of his supporters to come out of their homes & hold violent demonstrations against his ‘abduction’. Many PTI leaders also made a call to people of Pakistan to raise their voice against coercion & oppression by the Shahbaz Sharif government.
Pak on the edge, many areas burning
Soon after Imran’s arrest, a group of Imran’s supporters stormed the Army Commander’s house and then also attacked the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. Stones & bricks were also pelted at GHG and at other places in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and other major cities across the country. The PTI supporters also blocked main highways to voice their anger.
Imran Khan supporters have broken into the Corps Commander’s home in Lahore. pic.twitter.com/7x66oYuKrP
— Dr. Ayesha Ray (@DrAyeshaRay) May 9, 2023
Imran’s supporters stormed the Pakistani Army HQ in Rawalpindi after smashing the Army’s insignia.
Imran Khan supporters have broken into the Corps Commander’s home in Lahore. pic.twitter.com/7x66oYuKrP
— Dr. Ayesha Ray (@DrAyeshaRay) May 9, 2023
The protesters later barged into Corps Commander’s house in Lahore Cantt and set objects on fire in the outside the house.
Radio Pakistan Peshawar pic.twitter.com/4tPWRuuOFt
— LAL MALHI (@LALMALHI) May 9, 2023
The Khyber Pakhtunkwa region also witnessed violence on large scale as many PTI workers blocked the highways, burnt tyres and raise slogans for Imran Khan. They also set ablaze a replica of Pakistan Airforce aircraft outside the Mianwali air base.
