Pakistan: “Fight till the end”, Imran Khan urges supporters, government rules out talks
Bushra Bibi, Khan's wife, was seen travelling with one of the convoys Copyright: Reuters
Imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan has called on his supporters to remain steadfast in their protests, vowing to “fight till the end” to achieve their demands.
“We will not back down until our demands are met,” a post on Khan’s X account said, accusing security forces of firing on peaceful party workers.
“All protesting Pakistanis stay peaceful, united and stand firm until our demands are met – this is the struggle for Pakistan’s survival and true freedom,” the 72-year-old said.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has firmly rejected the prospect of negotiations with protesters demanding Khan’s release.
Speaking to reporters alongside Information Minister Atta Tarar, Naqvi attributed economic losses and protest-related fatalities to Khan’s wife, further intensifying the political tension.
Demonstrators calling for the release of former prime minister Imran Khan have been dispersed throughout the capital, Islamabad, which has been heavily guarded by security officials.
They were tear-gassed by security forces as they made their way to D Chowk, or Democracy Square, which is close to key government buildings.
Khan is incarcerated for three years on an accusation of corruption, which he disputes.
He asked his supporters to stay in the capital until the government complied with their demands in a “final” appeal for protest.
