Through Imran Khan’s evolution from global sports star to anti-corruption crusader and to prime minister of Pakistan — and then to outsider after his ouster in 2022 — his ability to mobilize huge street protests through social media has been a potent tool to pressure his opponents.

       But few protests have reached the intensity of the clashes of the past few days as his supporters marched to the capital, Islamabad, and demanded his release from prison. On Tuesday, government officials called out the army and gave it free rein to fire on protesters after six members of the security forces were killed.

       Again, Pakistan’s capital has become a battleground.

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