ASIA/PAKISTAN - Protests suspended: situation in Islamabad remains tense

Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) - "Calm seems to have returned, the protests of Imran Khan's supporters have been suspended, but fear and tension are still felt among the people of Islamabad. It is like a fire smoldering under the ashes. One must think above all of the ordinary people who are already struggling with economic problems and are struggling to survive. The wave of protests and the lockdowns are exacerbating these difficulties. The situation in the city has not yet fully returned to normal, there is still fear and the police are on duty, while schools are still closed today", said Father Asif John Khokhar, Vicar General of the Diocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi and National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Pakistan, to Fides. The priest recalls that, given the massive popular demonstrations that lasted several days, "last Sunday, with a certain bitterness, we were unable to celebrate the Feast of Christ the King in Islamabad as usual: the city was under lockdown, the streets were blocked, the internet was down, schools were closed. People could no longer leave their homes."
"The Feast of Christ the King is a very important feast for our Catholic community," the priest continued, "and unfortunately we had to celebrate it without believers in the church. This situation also affected community life. We now hope that we can celebrate the first Sunday of Advent in peace. The Catholic community in Pakistan will pray for the common good of the country."
Pakistani police said they arrested around a thousand people during three days of protests following a march on the capital Islamabad in which protesters and activists from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party demanded the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been in prison since August last year. The protesters were dispersed from the city centre in a major operation by security forces, who used tear gas and batons.
Imran Khan, 72, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in 2022, claims to be the victim of a conspiracy to prevent him from political activity and denies all allegations. Since February last year, after elections marred by irregularities, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has staged a series of demonstrations against the current government. The demonstration on November 26 in Islamabad was attended by more than ten thousand protesters who defied the lockdown and ban on rallies despite a massive presence of around 20,000 police officers.
Ali Nasir Rizvi, the chief inspector of Islamabad police, confirmed that a total of 954 protesters were arrested between Sunday and Tuesday, while one police officer was killed. PTI activists announced on social media that the protest was suspended "until further notice".
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke of "extremism", while the PTI lamented the "brutality of repression". Meanwhile, calls for dialogue are increasing, both from civil society organizations and political and religious leaders: "The country needs peace and stability," stresses Father Asif John Khokhar, "there are many families who are victims of the economic crisis and live in poverty.
On these issues, it would be important for all politicians to enter into dialogue and for legislators to make appropriate decisions to meet the needs of the poorest. The path of dialogue is always the right path." (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 28/11/2024)

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poverty

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