The demonstration was announced amid mounting concerns over Khan’s treatment in prison. The former prime minister has been jailed since 2023 on corruption charges.
Leaders of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have vowed to proceed with a nationwide demonstration demanding the former prime minister’s release, despite a sweeping government crackdown aimed at preventing the march from reaching Islamabad.
Authorities have deployed tens of thousands of police personnel, blocked major highways and issued arrest warrants against PTI leaders as part of efforts to stop the protest.
The demonstration was announced amid mounting concerns over Khan’s treatment in prison. The former prime minister has been jailed since 2023 on corruption charges.
March To Begin On Oct 4
On Friday, PTI leaders announced that the march would now begin on October 4 instead of the originally planned September 27. The party said the one-week delay was intended to increase pressure on the government.
The protest is expected to pose a significant challenge to the military-backed government, according to analysts. The ruling coalition is headed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir is widely seen as the country’s de facto leader.
PTI has remained a major political force, with Khan continuing to serve as a rallying figure for his supporters despite the government’s efforts to suppress the party.
PTI Leaders Detained, Khan’s Sisters Jailed
The crackdown intensified this week, with dozens of PTI leaders and ministers detained or facing arrest warrants. Khan’s three sisters were also arrested on Monday and remain in jail after being charged with posing a grave threat to security.
Among those facing arrest is Sohail Afridi, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Khan’s home province and a PTI stronghold. Thousands of supporters are expected to travel from the province towards the capital, the Guardian reported.
Afridi said PTI would proceed with the march unless the government agreed to significant concessions concerning Khan’s treatment and jail conditions, including a fair hearing in his cases.
“The government is panicking – that’s why they have put Islamabad under siege, that’s why they are abducting our ministers,” he said. “But Imran Khan is the most popular leader of the country, and people will come out for him. I am certain they won’t be able to stop the public power of the masses when they come out on the streets and take to Islamabad.”
Afridi also admitted that the extensive security arrangements had raised fears of a violent confrontation between authorities and Khan’s supporters attempting to enter Islamabad. Similar clashes have taken place during previous demonstrations.
Highway Shut As Security Tightens
The government has already deployed tens of thousands of security officials across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and closed the main highway linking Peshawar with Islamabad.
“I know they can go to any extent to stop us by brute force; we have no doubt about it,” Afridi said. “But if we have a large number of people, they can’t open fire at us. Our plan is to bring so many people that they surrender.”
Faisal Karim Kundi, the central government-appointed governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, defended the security measures as precautionary. He accused PTI of attempting to create “instability and violence”.
“The state can’t allow any violent group to march on Islamabad,” Kundi said.
The measures have also triggered growing frustration among residents and businesses in Islamabad, where authorities have taken extensive steps to prevent PTI supporters from entering the capital.
More than 1,000 shipping containers have been used to block roads, with some fitted with spikes. Sandbags have also been placed on bridges, while a key highway leading into the capital has been shut.
Public gatherings have been prohibited in Islamabad, and 22,000 police and other security personnel have been deployed across the city.
The shutdown has affected businesses and disrupted supplies. Shahid, a 76-year-old retired businessman, said the restrictions had left residents struggling.
“The entire city is suffering. The government has shut down the whole city and we, as citizens, are helpless. I have never seen such a situation. Joblessness, inflation and insecurity have made our lives hell, but does the government care? No.”
Despite the government and military’s efforts to weaken Khan’s party and keep the former prime minister out of public consciousness, he remains a political alternative for many Pakistanis.
Media organisations have reportedly been instructed not to refer to Khan by name.
The PTI has alleged that Khan is being kept in solitary confinement and denied adequate medical treatment, as well as contact with his family and lawyers for months.
Khan has denied all charges against him and alleged that his imprisonment is politically motivated because of the threat he poses to the government and military. All but one of the court rulings against him have been overturned.