2023 Pakistani protests

2023 Pakistani unrest
Part of 2022–2023 Pakistan political unrest and Arrest of Imran Khan
DateFirst phase: 14 March – 1 May 2023 (1 month, 2 weeks and 3 days)
Second phase: 28 May – 31 May 2023[1] (3 days)
Location
Pakistan
Caused byAftermath of the Arrest of Imran Khan and reactions to the 2023 Imran Khan arrest attempts
GoalsDemand for the release of Imran Khan and removal of army chief Asim Munir
Methods
Resulted inProtest concluded (Imran Khan's release from imprisonment)
Parties
PTI and party workers
Lead figures
Casualties and losses
8+ protestors killed,[3] many senior leaders arrested,[4][5] 5,000+ protestors arrested[5]
190+ policemen injured,[6][7] several military installations and cantonments vandalized, several public properties and infrastructure were destroyed or damaged, Corps Commander House, Lahore, burned down, Radio Pakistan Building, Peshawar, burned down, 72+ vehicles burnt
This article is part of
a series about
Imran Khan
Personal
Cricket career
22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan
Post-premiership
Elections
Politics
Imran Khan's signature

On March 14, 2023, a wave of protests erupted after the Punjab Police attempted to arrest the former prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan,[8] nearly one year after his removal from office. The climax of a series of events — including, but not limited to, Khan being charged under anti-terror laws after accusing government officials of unlawfully torturing an aide, his removal from office, and an attempt on his life five months prior — the attempted arrest led to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party workers and supporters clashing with police outside Khan's residence in Lahore, despite the arrest being called off. The clashes, which persisted for several days, led to the arrests of party workers, supporters being suppressed with tear gas and water cannons, as well as 54 police officers being "seriously injured".[9]

Little over seven weeks later, on May 9, 2023, Khan was arrested — immediately triggering widespread, violent unrest across Pakistan, with tens of thousands of Khan's supporters participating in riots, demonstrations, vandalism, and clashes with police officers and soldiers. With protesters alleging that Khan's arrest was a response to his anti-military stance, various military installations were targeted and attacked throughout the country. Protesters in Lahore targeted the Corps Commander House, which ultimately sustained heavy damage. The Radio Pakistan premises in Peshawar were also targeted, with protesters setting fire to the main building and destroying dozens of historical audio recordings.[10][11]

On May 10, Section 144 was imposed across the country and military deployment was ordered in an attempt to quell the rising death toll. Internet access was blocked indefinitely,[12][13] with nearly 125 million people being affected by the government's decision to suspend mobile broadband and block access to social media apps.[14] Riots subsided by May 12, with Khan being released on bail following a Supreme Court ruling that deemed his arrest unlawful.

Presently, diminished purchasing power has led to widespread protests in cities where citizens have resorted to burning electricity bills and blocking roads.[15]

  1. ^ "Breaking News Live Updates – 12 May 2023: Islamabad HC Grants Ex-PM Imran Khan 2-Week Bail In Graft Case". News18.com. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b Wasim, Amir (13 May 2023). "Former PM Imran blames army chief for arrest episode". Dawn.
  3. ^ "Imran Khan: Deadly violence in Pakistan as ex-PM charged with corruption". BBC News. 2023-05-10. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  4. ^ Munawar, Qamarul (11 May 2023). "Shah Mehmood Qureshi arrested from Gilgit Baltistan house in Islamabad". Samaa TV.
  5. ^ a b "Pakistan arrests Imran Khan's party leaders as protests continue". Al Jazeera. 11 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Imran Khan's arrest: Rangers reach Zaman Park after 54 policemen injured in clashes with PTI workers". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  7. ^ "1,000 People Arrested So Far in Pakistan, 130 Officers Injured, Say Police". News18. 10 May 2023.
  8. ^ "Zaman Park clashes: LHC directs police to stop operation till today". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  9. ^ "PTI claims Zaman Park 'under extreme attack' by law enforcement personnel". 15 March 2023. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  10. ^ "Imran Khan: Mass protests across Pakistan after ex-PM arrest". BBC News. 2023-05-09. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  11. ^ "Imran Khan arrest: Why the latest round of protests in Pakistan are different". The Times of India. 2023-05-09. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference BTArrest was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference AJBlocks was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ Adil, Hafsa. "'Ruined my livelihood': Pakistan internet shutdown hits millions". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  15. ^ "POL price hike adds to people's misery". The Express Tribune. 2023-09-01. Retrieved 2023-10-30.