Supporters of Jailed Ex-PM Imran Khan Rally Near Islamabad Amid Violence and Crackdown

Hundreds of supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan marched to the outskirts of Islamabad on Monday, demanding his release from prison. The protest, organized by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, took place under heavy security measures and amid reports of violent clashes elsewhere.

Security Measures in Islamabad

Authorities imposed a strict lockdown in the capital, using shipping containers to block major roads and deploying large contingents of police and paramilitary personnel in riot gear. Highways leading to the city were barricaded, and intercity public transport was suspended in Punjab province to prevent the arrival of additional protesters.

“We won’t let them storm the capital,” said Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari, adding that around 80 PTI supporters had been arrested. Several police officers were reportedly injured during clashes in the province.

Protests and Accusations

The PTI accused the government of using violent tactics to suppress the march, alleging that authorities were firing live bullets at demonstrators. “They are even firing live bullets,” said Shaukat Yousafzai, a close aide to Khan, during an interview with Geo News.

Islamabad police banned all gatherings in the city, while schools in both Islamabad and neighboring Rawalpindi were closed. Internet and WhatsApp services slowed, adding to the restrictions.

Protest Leadership and Context

Leading the rally on behalf of Khan were his third wife, Bushra Bibi, and Ali Amin Gandapur, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The rally reached the outskirts of Islamabad on Sunday night but faced barricades preventing further advancement.

This demonstration is the latest in a series of protests PTI has organized since Khan’s imprisonment in August 2023. The former prime minister has described this march as the “final call.” A similar rally in October turned violent, further heightening tensions between PTI and the government.

Khan’s Political and Legal Struggles

Imran Khan, ousted from office in 2022 through a parliamentary vote, faces multiple charges ranging from corruption to incitement of violence. Both he and his party deny the allegations, claiming they are politically motivated.

Khan’s fallout with Pakistan’s influential military, which plays a decisive role in the country’s politics, has further complicated his position. The military, which has historically shaped the leadership of the 241-million-strong South Asian nation, remains a critical player in the ongoing political crisis.

The protest underscores the deepening divide in Pakistan’s political landscape and the growing unrest surrounding Khan’s incarceration.