Imran Khan calls for ‘fight till the end’ as Pakistan gov’t rules out talks

Tensions rise as security forces clash with protesters calling for release of imprisoned former prime minister.

Police fire tear gas as thousands continue to protest in Pakistan

Islamabad, Pakistan – Imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan has urged his supporters to “fight till the end” as Pakistani authorities cracked down on protesters calling for his release.

Security forces on Tuesday clashed with supporters of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party who broke through barriers as they marched towards the centre of the locked-down capital, Islamabad, in an attempt to stage a sit-in.

The protesters are demanding the return of what they call a “stolen mandate” after February’s elections, the release of political prisoners and the reversal of a constitutional amendment that allows a civilian government to call in the army to help it implement “law and order”.

In a post on social media, Khan told protesters to remain peaceful and united, saying their struggle is for Pakistan’s “survival and true freedom”.

As tensions rose, the government dismissed prospects of “further dialogue” with the PTI and accused Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, of orchestrating the unrest.

“The loss of life and economic damage over the past few days lies squarely on one person’s shoulders,” Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said at a news conference on Tuesday evening. “She is wholly responsible for this chaos.”

Led by Bibi, who was recently released from prison after nearly nine months of incarceration, a PTI convoy departed on Sunday from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a PTI-controlled province in the northwest, with the goal of reaching the capital.

Despite facing a number of obstacles, including highway closures and shipping containers blocking roads,