Pakistani Army Ordered to Shoot Protesters on Sight Amid PTI Protests

Pakistani Army Ordered to Shoot Protesters on Sight Amid PTI Protests

The political climate in Pakistan, a nuclear-armed South Asian nation, is becoming increasingly volatile. Supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have taken to the streets, demanding his release and the resignation of the current government. To quell the unrest, the government has deployed the military in the capital, Islamabad, and authorized them to use deadly force against protesters.

According to a report by The Economic Times on Tuesday, November 26, the Pakistani Interior Ministry invoked Article 245 of the Constitution to justify the military deployment in Islamabad. Security forces have been granted sweeping powers, including orders to shoot protesters on sight if necessary. This decision comes as Islamabad faces a flood of demonstrators marching toward the capital.

Local media reports indicate that the government has imposed Section 144 in Islamabad for the next two months, banning all public gatherings and protests. Streets have been barricaded with containers to prevent PTI supporters from entering the city. These measures aim to prevent any large-scale assembly by PTI members who are demanding Khan’s release.

The political unrest stems from Imran Khan’s arrest, which has galvanized his supporters nationwide. PTI rallies and protests have led to escalating tensions between the government and opposition forces.

Opposition to these strict measures is growing, with human rights groups and international observers raising concerns about potential abuses of power and a worsening political crisis in Pakistan. For now, Islamabad remains a heavily guarded city, as the standoff between the government and Imran Khan's supporters continues to deepen.