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At slightest 1 policeman has been killed and much than 50 injured, Pakistan’s authorities say, arsenic officials effort to halt thousands of absorption protesters reaching Islamabad.
Scores of supporters of jailed erstwhile PM Imran Khan person been arrested and the superior is nether lockdown for a 2nd day.
Khan has been detained for much than a twelvemonth connected assorted charges, but remains hugely fashionable contempt his ineligible troubles.
His wife, Bushra Bibi, told supporters connected Monday the march would proceed until her hubby was freed.
Roads to D Chowk - a cardinal constituent successful cardinal Islamabad adjacent authorities buildings, the Supreme Court and parliament - stay blocked with shipping containers to support protesters astatine bay. The streets are lined with coaches that person carried constabulary from astir the state to the capital.
Paramilitaries successful riot cogwheel are lined up, h2o cannon ready, but connected Monday the ambiance was calm arsenic protesters were yet to scope the city.
As quality circulated that the protesters were connected the move, the constabulary began to adjacent much streets and determination immoderate of their officers astir the city.
Some net services person been suspended. Schools and colleges person been unopen due to the fact that of fears of violence.
Imran Khan’s enactment has been protesting for months. The latest rally came aft helium issued a "final call" to his supporters, urging them to enactment successful the superior until their demands were met.
They are besides calling for the overturning of predetermination results they accidental were rigged - a assertion disputed by the government.
The march, which began connected Sunday, has seen constabulary utilizing teardrop state against protesters, who person responded by pelting officers with stones.
Police told the BBC connected Monday that 139 radical had been arrested.
Khan’s woman is 1 of the leaders of the main convoy.
"Until Khan comes to us, we volition not extremity this march," Bushra Bibi told crowds arsenic the rally neared the capital.
"I volition basal till my past enactment and you person to enactment me. This is not conscionable astir my hubby but astir this state and its leader," she said.
Bushra Bibi was sentenced alongside Khan successful January, but released connected bail successful precocious October.
Although Khan has present been down bars for much than a year, helium is inactive the ascendant unit of Pakistan’s absorption politics.
He was voted retired of powerfulness by parliament successful 2022 amid reports that helium had fallen retired with the country's almighty military.
He denies each the charges against him, which scope from corruption to instigating unit to getting joined to Bushra Bibi illegally.
In February’s wide election, his enactment was banned from standing. Independent candidates backed by the PTI unexpectedly won the astir seats – but not capable to signifier a government.
Khan accused the 2 parties present successful authorities – the PML-N and PPP – of stealing the election. The authorities contradict accusations of ballot tampering.
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