PTI’s shutter-down strike in Faisalabad turns deadly

ISLAMABAD —

Demonstrations by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Faisalabad turned deadly Monday as one person was killed in clashes between protesters and security forces.

The death seems certain to further inflame rising tensions between the government and protesting PTI.

Tensions have been escalating for weeks between the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, which alleges widespread vote rigging in the country’s 2013 elections which brought Sharif to power. Khan has vowed to shut down a number of Pakistani cities as part of his campaign to get a recount of the votes.

Demonstrators clashed with police, many in riot gear, and other protesters. Pakistani television showed images of protesters hurling rocks and pushing against lines of police.

Dr. Tauseef Iqbal at the main hospital in Faisalabad said they had received one body of a man who appeared to have been killed by a bullet wound. Three other wounded people including one policeman had also been brought to the hospital, he said. It was not immediately clear who shot him, and police did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

Both sides blamed the other for the violence. A police official in Faisalabad said that groups of Khan supporters had been gathering at various spots around the city and clashing with authorities and with supporters of the prime minister.

Shireen Mazari, a spokeswoman for Khan’s party, said their supporters had been peaceful and blamed Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-N, saying they had attacked first.

A spokesman for the Punjab provincial government said that the people clashing with Khan’s supporters were not aligned with the ruling party, but Faisalabad is a major stronghold for the Sharif government.

Khan is expected to address a rally in the city later Monday.

Early on Monday, PTI supporters began blocking roads in Faisalabad to protest against the government.According to police officials, the protesters also began burning tires Monday in the eastern city of Faisalabad, a major economic hub. Protests were held in Allied Mor, Ghanta Ghar Chowk, Millat Chowk and other parts of the city.

According to a private news channel,  hundreds of riot police armed with batons have taken positions in Ghanta Ghar Chowk, the focal point of the PTI protest today.

Authorities have imposed a two-day ban on pillion-riding amid Section-144 with deployment of nearly 8,000 policemen in different tense parts of the city.