Man Allegedly Pushed from Container During Islamabad Protests
Islamabad’s security forces are under scrutiny after allegations emerged that a man was pushed off a stack of cargo containers during Tuesday’s protests demanding the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by Khan, labeled the incident as an example of excessive police force, citing it among several acts of alleged brutality that occurred during the demonstrations. Following these events, PTI has temporarily called off its protests.
According to PTI, the victim was praying atop a container when paramilitary officers approached and “brutally pushed him off from a height of approximately three stories.” The man’s condition remains unknown.
Incident Verified by Video Evidence
BBC Verify confirmed the incident occurred at the intersection of Jinnah and Attaturk Avenues in Islamabad, where protestors had gathered. Video footage revealed officers, identified by their riot shields as part of the Pakistani Rangers, pushing the kneeling man off the container. The man attempted to cling to the edge before falling.
The footage was verified through social media posts and imagery from the same location captured by Getty Images. The Pakistani Rangers have been approached for comment but have not responded as of yet.
Protest Casualties and Arrests
Tuesday’s protests resulted in clashes that left at least six people dead, including four security personnel and two civilians. Local sources reported that hospital staff received four civilian bodies with gunshot wounds, though this information has not been independently verified by the BBC.
PTI claims that several of their supporters were killed during the crackdown and have called for an independent investigation into the incidents. The party also alleged that security forces fired live rounds at peaceful demonstrators with intent to harm.
Meanwhile, authorities have reportedly arrested more than 500 PTI supporters amid heightened security across the capital, with measures including a citywide lockdown and police deployment to control the convoys of protesters entering Islamabad.
Protests Temporarily Halted
PTI announced on Wednesday that it has suspended protests due to what it called “government brutality.” The party criticized the violent response to their demonstrations, including the use of tear gas and aggressive dispersal tactics.
Background and Leadership
The protests were led by PTI leaders Ali Amin Gandapur and Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, who has taken a prominent role in rallying support for her husband since her release from prison in October. The convoy they led has since returned to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned for over a year on charges he claims are politically motivated, continues to be a pivotal figure in Pakistan’s political landscape. Despite the party being banned from contesting elections, PTI-supported independent candidates emerged as the largest bloc in February’s elections. However, they fell short of forming a majority, allowing their rivals to establish a coalition government.
The PTI continues to challenge the election results, alleging voter manipulation—a claim denied by the current government. As the situation unfolds, tensions between PTI supporters and authorities remain high, underscoring ongoing political turmoil in Pakistan.
