D chowk Islamabad Incident and Historical background

The full name of D-Chowk is Democracy Chowk and it is located in the heart of Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

Decades ago, this place was known as the Parade Ground Islamabad where military parades were held.
However, due to increasing security concerns, parades are no longer held, but the importance of this place still remains.

Now, instead of parades, meetings, processions and rallies are held here. D-Chowk is located at the junction of Jinnah Avenue and Shahrah-e-Dastur and is surrounded by several important buildings, including the Prime Minister’s House, the President’s Office, Parliament, the Supreme Court, while the Diplomatic Enclave and the Foreign Office are located just a short distance from it.

Jalsa processions have been held here since the 1980s. The first major protest at D-Chowk was in July 1980 by a religious group against taxes imposed by General Zia-ul-Haq.

Since then, countless political parties and social organizations have held demonstrations here. In 1989, opposition parties led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif protested here, while demonstrations were held here in 1992 against the rigging of the 1990 general elections.

In 1993, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto led a march at D-Chowk Islamabad demanding the resignation of then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

The lawyers’ movement that began in 2009 against former military dictator General Musharraf also ended here.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, led by Imran Khan, staged a sit-in here for 120 days in 2014. However, in 2016, the government banned demonstrations at the site and also took steps to prevent large gatherings.

Despite all the restrictions, demonstrations continue to take place at D-Chowk every day. The latest incident is PTI long march in which many protesters are killed by Pakistan Army and Police. The world is condemning the brutality.