Pakistan is witnessing a wave of violent protests as thousands of supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan clash with security forces, defying government-imposed lockdowns. The unrest, led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has plunged the nation into further political crisis.

Imran Khan, jailed since August 2023 following a corruption conviction, faces over 150 criminal cases, which his supporters claim are politically motivated. Ousted via a parliamentary no-confidence vote in 2022, Khan’s detention has become the focal point of PTI’s demands, including his immediate release, fresh elections, and the reversal of constitutional amendments that they argue undermine judicial independence.

The interior ministry reports that since Monday, conflicts between security personnel and followers of Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf party (PTI) have resulted in the deaths of at least four paramilitary rangers, two police officers, and numerous others.

The government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has refused to negotiate, accusing Khan of inciting violence. The PTI, however, alleges a coordinated effort between the government and the military to dismantle their party. Stay tuned for live updates as the situation unfolds.