Police fired tear gas on Monday at supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan as they marched towards Islamabad, defying a citywide lockdown and rally ban. The demonstrators demanded Khan’s release from prison, where he has been held for over a year on charges his party claims are politically motivated.
The protestors, who traveled over 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Pakistan's restive northwest, braved heavy security, widespread arrests, and multiple clashes to approach the capital. Police reported one officer dead and several injured on both sides during the standoff.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed the government’s willingness to allow protests on the outskirts of Islamabad but warned of severe action if marchers entered the city. Despite these warnings, demonstrators removed roadblocks, including shipping containers, using heavy machinery, videos on social media showed.
Senior PTI leader Kamran Bangash vowed to overcome all hurdles. “We will reach Islamabad despite tear gas and barricades,” he said. Protesters, many equipped with gas masks and protective gear, continued their march undeterred.
Bushra Bibi, Khan’s wife, recently released on bail, addressed supporters near Islamabad. Dressed in a white burqa and speaking from a truck, she urged protesters to remain steadfast in their demand for Khan’s release.
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party claims the cases against him are a strategy to sideline him politically. Despite his incarceration, Khan remains popular, with large crowds rallying in his support.
The lockdown in Islamabad, ongoing for two days, has disrupted daily life and halted travel between cities. Authorities blocked key routes using containers, affecting emergency services and cutting off internet and mobile connectivity in several areas.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, hosting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for a state visit, criticized the protests. A spokesperson for Sharif accused PTI of orchestrating disruptions to harm Pakistan’s fragile economy, citing billions of rupees in damages from such events.
Imran Khan, ousted in 2022 through a no-confidence vote, faces over 150 criminal cases. While some convictions have been overturned, his legal battles continue, preventing his release. The government maintains that courts alone can decide his fate.
As tensions remain high, officials are in talks with PTI leaders to avoid further violence. However, the protesters, emboldened by Khan's enduring popularity, seem determined to press on with their demands.