United States of America (USA) has urged authorities in Pakistan to respect human rights and fundamental freedom in the wake of the PTI protest in Islamabad.
Imran Khan had called for the massive sit-in protest at Islamabad’s D-Chowk. He urged his party workers, supporters, and voters to reach Islamabad on November 24th, 2024. Meanwhile, the federal government is adamant not to allow the protestors and convoys of PTI to reach Islamabad. Imran Khan has named this ‘do or die’ protest the ‘Final Call’. The Party says it will not be in Islamabad until Imran Khan’s release.
Containers and barbed wires have been strategically placed to impede PTI supporters, while heavy police deployments indicate that the authorities are determined to use force if need be. With convoys reaching Islamabad on Monday night, reports of law enforcement agencies opening fire on the protestors were reported on social media.
PTI claims the straight fire from police injured its 20 workers who were immediately taken to the nearby hospital for treatment.
Read more: Army Deployed in Islamabad Amid Escalating PTI Protests and Violence
The State Department Spokesperson in a daily press briefing was asked to comment on the ongoing shelling and use of force by law enforcement agencies on the protestors.
“In Pakistan and around the world, we support freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association,” the spokesperson said.
“We call on protesters to demonstrate peacefully and refrain from violence, and at the same time, we call on Pakistani authorities to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to ensure respect for Pakistan’s laws and constitution, as they work to maintain law and order.”
Entering into the second day of the protest, the federal government has deployed the army in Islamabad under Article 245 to restore order amid escalating violence during PTI protests, granting them authority to impose curfews and take strict measures.