Pakistan police vows harsh crackdown on PTI protests
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Police are warning Imran Khan supporters that the so-called Section 144 orders are in effect, which is a colonial-era law prohibiting gatherings of two or more people.
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Supporters of imprisoned former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and Jamaat-e-Islami party during a protest, in Karachi, Pakistan, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP)
Pakistani police have issued a warning of cracking down on what they called "illegal gatherings" after imprisoned former PM Imran Khan's Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party urged supporters to take to the streets peacefully following last week's elections.
Independent candidates garnered the most seats in the polls, cutting off the chances of the army-backed Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to win a majority, with PTI leaders claiming that they could have taken more seats if it wasn't for rigging in the votes.
Suspicions arose when a nationwide election-day mobile blackout and the slow counting of results made it seem as if a military establishment was influencing the process to garner success for the PML-N, which is former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's party.
During a press conference, PTI chairman Gohar Ali Khan said, "Throughout Pakistan elections were manipulated in a subtle way," as he urged supporters to "protest peacefully" on Sunday. However, police warned that the so-called Section 144 orders were in effect, which is a colonial-era law prohibiting gatherings of two or more people.
Islamabad's police force announced, "Some individuals are inciting illegal gatherings around the Election Commission and other government offices," adding, "Legal action will be taken against unlawful assemblies. It should be noted that soliciting for gatherings is also a crime."
Read more: We stand with Palestine, Imran Khan wants strong Pakistan: PTI leader
US interference
Zahid Hussain, a political analyst and author, explained that the results have clearly indicated that "no single party possesses a simple majority to establish a government," noting, "The political future of the country from this point onward is highly uncertain."
General Syed Asim Munir said in a statement released Saturday, "The nation needs stable hands and a healing touch to move on from the politics of anarchy and polarisation which does not suit a progressive country of 250 million people."
However, it was still likely that the next government would be formed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz after a period of political negotiations and bargaining.
On the Western side, US State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters that Washington was concerned about "steps that were taken to restrict freedom of expression, specifically around internet and cellphone use," adding that the US condemns election-related violence in both run-up polls and election day.
