A rally truck used by Bushra Bibi, the wife of Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan, burns near the "red zone", which was cordoned off by police after protests to demand Khan's release, in Islamabad on November 26, 2024.
AFP
Confusion and disinformation swirled on social media as supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan-led party clashed with security forces at Islamabad’s D-Chowk on Nov. 26.
Thousands of Khan’s followers had marched to the capital, heeding his call to demand his release and protest his exclusion from the Feb. 8 general elections, which he claims were rigged to prevent his return.
Security forces were deployed across the city as demonstrators attempted to occupy the iconic public square, D-Chowk, near parliament.
The situation remained tense throughout the day but turned violent as the security forces cracked down on the protestors one final time after sunset. Besides tear gas and rubber bullets, the police and paramilitary forces are also reported to have used live ammunition on the protesters.
Soon after, the container used by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership was also set on fire, with reports of casualties adding to the chaos.‘It was like a war-zone’
Nukta correspondent Aamir Saeed Abbasi provided a detailed timeline of events. “Police were stationed atop the G7-G8 interchange when we reached around noon." By 1 p.m., PTI workers crossed the G-7-G-8 underpass, reaching Khyber Plaza, where police personnel retreated to the 7th Avenue Interchange.
The protestors began moving toward D-Chowk through Blue Area and Jinnah Avenue under heavy tear gas shelling, Abbasi reported.
Bushra Bibi addressed the crowd at 2:30 p.m., urging them to reach D-Chowk at all costs.
By 3 p.m., the head of the convoy had arrived at D-Chowk. Some PTI workers climbed shipping containers, where they encountered Pakistan Army personnel who warned them not to cross into the Red Zone.
Intense clashes erupted by 3:30 p.m., with Rangers using tear gas and aerial firing to push back protesters.
Bushra Bibi, wife of jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, and supporters of Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) attend a rally demanding his release, in Islamabad, Pakistan, November 26, 2024.
Reuters
Between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., Abbasi witnessed continuous tear gas shelling and gunfire. “Authorities planned a massive operation following sunset around 5 p.m., and additional Rangers were deployed. Markets in Blue Area were completely shut down, and power supply to the area was disconnected,” he said.
By 9 p.m., the operation intensified as Rangers attacked from three directions, cutting off supply lines. Protesters, panicked by rumors of live fire, began to flee. Key leaders, including Bushra Bibi and Ali Amin Gandapur, left the scene in bulletproof cars, prompting workers to retreat.
Abbasi also highlighted conflicting claims about the container fire. “Reports suggest that diesel for a generator ignited during the shelling, causing the fire to spread. Both the police and PTI are blaming each other for the incident,” he added.
By midnight, law enforcement had cleared the area, detaining 954 protesters in total.
Scenes of chaos
Nukta correspondent Javed Hussain described how PTI convoys entered Islamabad on Nov. 26, turning toward Jinnah Avenue in the afternoon. “Initially, the situation seemed normal,” Hussain noted, as protesters removed barriers with ease and proceeded to their designated spots. Among those present on Jinnah Avenue were Bushra Bibi, Omar Ayub, and Ali Amin Gandapur.
He said that PTI workers reached D-Chowk from China Chowk, where the situation began to escalate. “I witnessed intense tear gas shelling at Express Chowk, near D-Chowk,” Hussain said.
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While some protesters wielded stones, clubs, and slingshots, he saw no firearms among them. “By Asr prayers, sporadic gunfire began, with bullets seemingly fired from elevated positions. Injured protesters were seen being transported on motorcycles, and some carried bloodstained colleagues to safety.
"By sunset, the entire city was shut down, shrouded in darkness. Offices along Jinnah Avenue were vacated, and tear gas effects extended to nearby residential areas, making it hard for people to breathe,” he said.
Hussain also observed security forces, including personnel in plainclothes, mingling with protesters. “By 10 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Rangers had taken full control of Jinnah Avenue, forcing PTI workers to retreat toward G-6 and G-7 sectors. Vehicles abandoned by protesters dotted the streets,” He added.
A motorcycle burns during a protest rally by the supporters of the former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) demanding the release of Khan, in Islamabad, Pakistan, November 26, 2024.
Reuters
Hussain reported conflicting accounts of casualties: independent sources cited 12 to 14 fatalities, while the government denied any deaths. "The authorities later washed Jinnah Avenue, erasing potential evidence," he said.
“Initially, PTI workers were enjoying themselves, dancing to drumbeats,” Hussain remarked. “But as the night wore on, panic and chaos prevailed.” The security operation, which began around Maghrib prayers, ended by 10:30 p.m.
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Though calm has returned to Islamabad, questions linger. What was the cost of restoring order? Could the turmoil have been avoided? These questions so far remain unanswered.
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