Police provided tear gas shells to former prime minister Imran Khan’s supporters during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf protests, sources said on Thursday.
They added that two district police officers supplied the shells to PTI activists under the directives of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.
There were claims circulating that the demonstrators had fired tear gas at the police in the march to Islamabad. Subsequently, a memorandum was issued requesting detailed information on the tear gas shells available to the KP police.
Some people on social media claimed that PTI workers had purchased tear gas from the market, although it has not been officially confirmed.
Thousands of PTI supporters marched on Sunday from different cities to Islamabad for jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s release.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and the police claimed that the PTI supporters fired tear gas shells at the police. Footage showed they had slingshots. A Reuters video also showed that protesters were collecting shells.
At least six people, including a police officer and three Rangers officials, lost their lives during three days of protests, as reported by officials and hospital sources.
Late on the third day, PTI leaders, including Bushra Bibi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, urged protesters to “go home, have dinner, and return tomorrow.” This retreat from the protest site marked a significant shift in strategy for the party.
In addition to the fatalities, there were widespread arrests as security forces worked to clear protesters from Jinnah Avenue and the Blue Area. However, the exact number of those detained remains unclear.
To maintain order, police switched off street lights along Jinnah Avenue and in surrounding sectors, deploying a heavy presence on both sides of the road. As law enforcement regained control, many dispersed protesters moved towards Faisal Avenue and nearby areas, where authorities had placed containers to block access, which had previously been cleared by demonstrators.
