Violence spreads in Pakistan, at least 7 killed, 300 injured

Violent clashes between Imran Khan’s supporters and security forces have left at least seven people dead and nearly 300 injured across Pakistan as the army was deployed in the country’s capital Islamabad, as well as in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces on Wednesday to maintain law and order.
At least 14 government buildings/installations were set on fire by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party supporters in Punjab province following the dramatic arrest of Khan in a corruption case on Tuesday, police said.
The law enforcement agencies have arrested 1,150 PTI supporters including women in Punjab alone so far. Two top leaders – PTI Secretary General Asad Umar, former Punjab governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema and PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi – were also arrested on Wednesday.
The situation in Lahore and several other cities of Punjab remained tense on Wednesday in the wake of the arrest of the PTI chief.
As the police failed to control the law-and-order situation in the province, the Punjab government called for the deployment of the Pakistan Army.
As many as 10 companies of the army have been requested to be deployed in the province of 120 million to control the situation. The federal government has approved deployment of the Army in Punjab.
“The protesters have set on fire 14 government installations/buildings and 21 police vehicles in Punjab. Over 130 officials and officers of the security agencies have been wounded. Police arrested 1,150 miscreants during their clashes with the security agencies and causing damage to the state property,” the Punjab police said in a statement.
The police said those who set the government installations on fire are being identified through video footage and strict action will be taken against them.
Immediately after the interior ministry authorised the deployment of the army in Islamabad, the capital police said that Pakistan Army troops were reaching several locations in Islamabad.
It tweeted that the Rangers and armed forces were at the scene to maintain public order.
“All those who are spreading incitement are requested to stop,” it said and requested women and children to refrain from travelling.
According to the Khan’s party, one person has been killed each in Lahore, Faisalabad and Burewala cities of Punjab. It said over 150 protesters have been injured in Punjab alone.
Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab, remained virtually cut off from the rest of the country because of protest demonstrations of the PTI workers on all its main roads.
In Peshawar, at least four persons were killed and 27 others injured in clashes between protestors and police, a spokesperson of Lady Reading Hospital confirmed.
Protestors also set fire to the building of state-run Radio Pakistan, causing severe damage to the studios, auditorium and other facilities, Director General Radio Pakistan Peshawar Tahir Hassan told the media.
The office of Associated Press of Pakistan located in the building was ransacked and damaged.
In Islamabad, the protestors clashed with police and the Srinagar Highway linking the national capital with its international airport remained blocked for several hours.
IG Islamabad Akbar Nasir Khan told the media that at least five police personnel were injured. “We are trying our best to maintain peace and disperse the miscreants,” he said.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Islamabad also called in the army as violence spread.
In Sindh, the government imposed Section 144 to control the situation.
Police informed Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah that around 270 people were arrested in the province.
Special Assistance to PM Atta Tarar told the media that no one was allowed to damage the state property. “Now action will be taken. The miscreants are being identified through CCTV cameras. Everyone will be arrested,” he said.