Pakistan Army Orders "Shoot on Sight" Amid Deadly Clashes Over Imran Khan Protests

Pakistan's army has been ordered to "shoot on sight" after violent clashes with protesters. The violence led to the deaths of four soldiers and at least one protester.

The clashes started when protesters entered Islamabad on Monday, demanding the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The protests continued despite efforts by the government to stop them. Reports say that four paratroopers were killed in the violence. The army was deployed and given permission to use force against those who defied orders.

Zulfi Bukhari, a spokesperson for Khan's political movement, claimed that one protester was killed and 20 others were injured.

The government blamed Khan’s supporters for the violence. They reported that a police officer was killed, and over 119 people were injured, some with gunshot wounds.

The largest protest convoy was led by Khan’s allies from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The protesters removed roadblocks after authorities tried to disperse them with tear gas. Hundreds of Khan's supporters were arrested in multiple cities, and many of the injuries were from gunfire

The protests started on Sunday after Khan encouraged his supporters to march. Khan, a former cricket star, has been in jail for over a year. He faces more than 150 charges related to corruption, inciting violence, and misuse of power.

In response to the violence, all educational institutions in Islamabad were closed for security reasons.

Mobile phone services were suspended in some areas, and the government banned gatherings of more than five people in the capital.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi attended the funeral for a policeman who was killed. He said dozens of officers were injured, two of them critically.

Protesters also set vehicles on fire during the unrest. Naqvi said that Khan and those supporting the protests would be held responsible for the casualties among police officers.

Authorities warned that protesters who attempted to enter the "Red Zone" would be arrested.

The Red Zone is where important government buildings, the president’s and prime minister’s residences, and foreign embassies are located.

The protests have become a major challenge for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government.

The government is already focused on restructuring Pakistan’s weak economy under an agreement with the International Monetary Fund. The unrest is costing the economy about 144 billion rupees ($518 million) daily.

Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, is demanding his release.

They also want the government to reverse a new law that they believe gives the government too much power over the judiciary.