Islamabad, October 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
At least one person was killed and more than a dozen injured after police allegedly opened fire on protesters in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) claimed, as demonstrations against the imposition of governor’s rule escalated into violence.
The reported casualties could not be independently verified, according to media reports. PTI lawmaker Iqbal Afridi claimed that 11 party workers were injured and one person died in the clashes.
Tensions have intensified since the federal government declared a state of emergency on Sunday and imposed governor’s rule in the province, effectively suspending the provincial government led by the party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Violence erupted on Tuesday during protests in Bara Bazaar in Khyber district. According to local media reports citing police, demonstrators set fire to a National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) office and allegedly held 15 police personnel hostage.
Khyber District Police Officer Waqar Ahmed said hundreds of PTI supporters initially gathered in Bara Bazaar on Tuesday afternoon to oppose governor’s rule. Police responded with tear gas and live firing, temporarily dispersing the crowd.
The confrontation resumed about 90 minutes later when another group, led by provincial assembly member Abdul Ghani, marched from Minar Chowk towards Bara Chowk, raising anti-government slogans. Ahmed said protesters subsequently damaged government property and set traffic signals on fire.
The situation deteriorated further after demonstrators allegedly confined 15 police personnel inside a tehsil municipal office and seized their weapons and uniforms.
Pakistani daily Dawn, citing eyewitnesses, reported that at least five protesters were injured and police arrested 50 people on allegations of attempting to create unrest. However, a doctor at Peshawar’s Hayatabad Medical Complex told the newspaper that the hospital had received more than a dozen injured people, including four policemen.
Videos circulating on social media purportedly showed gunfire in the streets, armed personnel chasing people and police beating individuals with batons. The footage could not be independently verified.
The protests were directed against governor’s rule, which has curtailed the functioning of PTI leader Sohail Afridi in his role as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister.
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