Responding to reports of multiple deaths and mass detentions of opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protesters in Islamabad on November 26 and 27, Babu Ram Pant, Amnesty International’s deputy regional director for South Asia Pant) said:
“Protesters in Pakistan once again face a brutal and deadly crackdown by authorities that are callous and opaque. Escalating violence, shutdowns of mobile internet services, mass detentions, and shocking rhetoric against PTI protesters illustrate the growing concern for peaceful gatherings across the country. A pattern of intolerance for liberal rights follows similar crackdowns on Baloch and Pashtun protesters earlier this year.
Amnesty International calls for a swift, thorough, impartial, effective and transparent investigation into the deaths and injuries of protesters and the unlawful use of force by security personnel, including lethal and non-lethal weapons.
Babu Ram Pant, Deputy Regional Director for South Asia, Amnesty International
“Yesterday, disturbing reports and testimonies emerged regarding the unlawful use of force, including lethal munitions, against protesters during a government-mandated communications blackout. Continued restrictions on reporting by the media and independent observers have made it difficult to verify casualties and prompted urgent questions about responsibility for human rights violations.
“Amnesty International calls for a swift, thorough, impartial, effective and transparent investigation into the deaths and injuries of protesters and the unlawful use of force, including lethal and non-lethal weapons, by security personnel. The authorities must also immediately release all persons accused solely of exercising their right to freedom of peaceful assembly. And detained protesters.
background
PTI has announced a protest in the capital Islamabad on November 24, 2024, calling for the release of former Prime Minister and party leader Imran Khan. In response, the government disrupted internet services across the country and shut down mobile internet in Islamabad for four days. All major highways and routes leading to Islamabad were blocked to impede the movement of protesters, with 4,000 PTI supporters reportedly detained ahead of protests across the country, with around 610 people arrested yesterday.
Between November 26 and 27, citing provisions in Pakistan’s constitution regarding “external aggression or threat of war,” troops were mobilized into the capital, and numerous clashes broke out between protesters and law enforcement agencies. There were reports of illegal use of tear gas and “shoot-and-shoot” orders against protesters. Due to limited information, the specific number of casualties is unknown, but on the morning of November 27, the BBC reported that at least six people died, including four security officials.
