US urges PTI protesters to protest peacefully, avoid violence

Amidst the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest to end the founder Imran Khan's incarceration, the US State Department urged Pakistani authorities to prevent human rights violations and also called on demonstrators to remain peaceful. 

State Department comment comes during the ongoing political instability in Pakistan, where PTI has been advancing to the federal capital with supporters and workers on the final call of its incarcerated founder Imran Khan, who was imprisoned a year ago and prosecuted in dozen of cases, included Toshakhana, May 9 incident, and £190 case.

During a press briefing in Washington, spokesperson Matthew Miller supported freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. 

“We call on protesters to demonstrate peacefully and refrain from violence, and at the same time, we call on Pakistani authorities to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms and to ensure respect for Pakistan's laws and constitution as they work to maintain law and order," said Miller.

Since Sunday, PTI protesters have been advancing to the federal capital, which has been closed with  Army, Paramilitary Rangers, and police forces were deployed to forestall PTI caravans, which entered Islamabad late at night. 

However, forces were actively dealing with the protesters, leading to clashes between police and demonstrators. According to the official statistics, one police officer was killed and at least 20 injured during the feud. 

Apart from this, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also warned protesters not to expect any leniency from the government. 

He said the government would deal with the protesters with an iron hand and also said he would not hesitate to impose a curfew. 

Moreover, the army has been called under Article 245 of the Constitution, with strict directives to take decisive action, including shooting on sight, against individuals involved in creating chaos.