**Urgent Inquiry Needed into Fatal Crackdown on Opposition Protesters in Pakistan**

Amnesty International has demanded an urgent and transparent investigation following reports of multiple fatalities and widespread detentions of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protesters in Islamabad on November 26 and 27. Babu Ram Pant, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for South Asia, has condemned the violent suppression of the protesters and highlighted the lack of accountability from Pakistani authorities.

"This is yet another instance where protesters in Pakistan have faced a severe and deadly crackdown, with the authorities acting under a veil of indifference. The increasing violence, the shutdown of mobile internet services, mass detentions, along with the hostile rhetoric against PTI protesters, reflect a recurring pattern of intolerance towards peaceful assemblies across the country," said Pant.

Recent actions have drawn parallels to similar government crackdowns on Baloch and Pashtun demonstrators earlier this year. Pant emphasized the need for a comprehensive, impartial, and transparent investigation into the fatalities and injuries incurred by the protesters, as well as the overall misuse of force—it was noted that lethal and less-lethal weapons were utilized against the demonstrators.

Concerning reports indicate that during the protests, which coincided with a government-imposed communication blackout, security forces used unlawful force, including live ammunition. These restrictions have significantly hampered efforts to verify the precise number of casualties, raising critical concerns about human rights accountability.

Amnesty International insists the Pakistani authorities must conduct a prompt and thorough investigation into these incidents. This includes examining the unlawful use of force against protesters and ensuring the immediate release of all individuals detained merely for exercising their right to peaceful assembly.

The PTI had called for demonstrations in Islamabad beginning on November 24, 2024, demanding the release of their leader, former Prime Minister Imran Khan. In a bid to stifle these protests, the government disrupted internet services countrywide and entirely shut down mobile internet in Islamabad for four days. Furthermore, all major highways and routes leading to the capital were barricaded, and about 4,000 PTI supporters were detained across the country prior to the protests, with around 610 arrests recorded on November 26 alone.

Between November 26 and 27, confrontations between protesters and law enforcement escalated, particularly after military forces were summoned under constitutional provisions related to 'external aggression or threat of war.' Reports reveal the unlawful use of tear gas and even "shoot at sight" orders against demonstrators. As of the morning of November 27, the BBC reported that at least six people had died, including four security officers, though the total number of casualties remains unclear due to the ongoing information clampdown.