AT LEAST six people died in Islamabad today as protests demanding the release of imprisoned former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan continued.

Thousands of security forces were deployed into central Islamabad in an attempt to quell protests that have gripped the capital and its surrounding areas since Sunday.

The ousted leader has been in jail for over a year and faces more than 150 criminal cases that his party says are politically motivated.

Today, Pakistan’s army took control of D-Chowk, or Democracy Square, in Islamabad’s Red Zone which houses key government buildings.

A sit-in protest had been planned at the square but had not been successful at the time the Morning Star went to print.

Paramilitary rangers and police were also out in force and some fired warning shots into the air.

Mr Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi, who is leading the protests, was among those trying to reach the square.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi threatened that security forces would respond with live fire if protesters fired weapons at them.

“We have now allowed police to take any decision according to the situation,” he said.

Police have so far used tear gas in attempts to disperse the crowd.

Those killed include four members of the security forces and one civilian who died after a vehicle rammed them on a street overnight.

A police officer died separately.

Scores of people have also been injured, including journalists who were attacked by demonstrators.

Protester Shahzor Ali said people were on the streets because Mr Khan had called for them to be there.

He said: “We will stay here until Khan is among us. He will decide what to do next.

“If they again fire bullets, the bullet will be responded with the bullet.”

Protester Fareeda Bibi, who is not related to Mr Khan’s wife, said: “We have really suffered for the last two years, whether it is economically, politically or socially.

“We have been ruined. I have not seen such a Pakistan in my life.”

Police have arrested more than 4,000 people since Friday and suspended mobile and internet in some parts of the country to foil protest attempts.

In a statement from jail, Mr Khan told his supported to “stand firm until our demands are met.”