Pakistan: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party likely to continue nationwide protests through late November after clashes cause dozens of casualties /update 7

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party will likely stage nationwide protests through at least late November to demand the release of jailed PTI leader and former Prime Minister Imran Khan as well as action to address other grievances. As of late Nov. 25, at least one police officer had been killed and at least 119 others injured in clashes near Islamabad and elsewhere in Punjab Province; some 22 police vehicles were also burned amid the unrest. PTI authorities have asserted that dozens of its workers have also been injured. The clashes have come as thousands of Khan's supporters continued to march toward D-Chowk in Islamabad. The protests began on Nov. 24 after Khan called for a major rally in the capital. Security forces have reportedly detained more than 4,000 of Khan's supporters and used tear gas to disperse crowds. Unconfirmed reports suggest that security forces have also fired live ammunition at the protesters as of early Nov. 26, resulting in additional casualties.

Authorities have partially suspended internet and mobile services around Islamabad as well as Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces in recent days. Officials have also blocked off all entry and exit routes of Islamabad, Lahore, and Rawalpindi with shipping containers and suspended intercity buses out of Lahore and between Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Road blockades are also in place on expressways and major thoroughfares of Islamabad, Lahore, and Rawalpindi; routes to Islamabad International Airport (ISB) are partially closed. Authorities have announced the deployment of more than 9,000 Pakistan Rangers and Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel in Islamabad and more than 10,000 rangers in Punjab Province. Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which empowers the government to temporarily prohibit unauthorized public gatherings, is in effect in Punjab Province until at least Nov. 28; Section 144 orders are also in effect in Islamabad. Officials could extend the security measures over the coming days if protests continue to escalate.

Additional demonstrations of varying types will likely occur in cities such as Rawalpindi and Lahore over the coming days. Potential gathering sites include press clubs, monuments, sports grounds, government buildings, public squares, and major thoroughfares. Well-attended gatherings have previously drawn tens of thousands of participants. Due to legal orders or security measures, protest plans may change on short notice.

Security forces will likely monitor demonstrations and may use batons, tear gas, and other means to disperse some gatherings. Security checks, traffic restrictions, and resulting transport delays will probably affect certain areas in major cities, and preventive arrests of PTI leaders are possible.

Clashes between police and activists, as well as incidents of arson and vandalism, will remain possible over the coming days, especially if authorities attempt to forcibly disperse crowds. Authorities will likely report increasing casualty numbers over the short term. In the event of significant violence, officials may impose further telecommunications controls, including additional mobile internet outages and restrictions on social media and messaging applications. Localized business disruptions could occur in areas affected by protests and increased security.