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Sources added that the plan was devised to remove protesters from D-Chowk, a symbolic location in the heart of Islamabad.
Imran Khan’s supporters during the rally to Islamabad | Image/AP
Did Pakistan army want to attack innocent protestors? According to top sources close to former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan, leaked information has revealed that the Pakistan Army had planned a brutal crackdown on protesters.
This crackdown was planned on protests in support of the imprisoned Imran Khan. Sources said the Pakistan government wanted an attack on protesters from all sides. “They had a multi-stage plan including communication blackout, snipers, tear-gas armed soldiers, strategic blockades, and the use of live ammunition,” sources said.
Sources added that the plan was devised to remove protesters from D-Chowk, a symbolic location in the heart of Islamabad.
Sources also said this was orchestrated by General Asim Munir, Pakistan’s Army Chief. The operation involved encircling Jinnah Avenue with shipping containers, deploying snipers, and stationing paramilitary rangers and police with teargas shells, sources said. They added that the Army wanted to blame Imran Khan for the massacre.
The protests, which took place on November 26, were called by Khan and drew thousands of supporters from across the country.
The party, Pakistani Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), has also expressed concern over the use of “unnecessary and excessive force” by the police, including the firing of tear gas and rubber bullets.
The situation in Pakistan remains tense, with Khan’s supporters continuing to demand his release and the government maintaining its tough stance against the opposition.
CNN-News18 had reported last week that Bushra Bibi was working on the payrolls of ISI and has shifted her loyalties, according to sources. Sources told CNN-News18 that Bibi has refused to take instructions from Khan, noting that the former PM wanted her to go to Juman Park after her release but it was a no-show. “Instead of appearing at Juman Park, she was seen in KPK doing nothing. Despite Khan’s clarification that his wife is not a political leader, she released her video recordings,” they said.
Khan has been jailed since August 2023, sidelined by dozens of legal cases he claims were confected to prevent his comeback in elections this year marred by rigging allegations. Since the February vote, his party has defied a government crackdown with regular rallies.
However, last week, more than 10,000 protesters surged into the city, defying a lockdown and a ban on public gatherings to skirmish with 20,000 security forces enlisted to turn them back.
