ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN / RankWire.AI / – Amid ongoing political unrest in Pakistan, the detention of Imran Khan’s family members and extensive security measures have intensified tensions ahead of a planned demonstration. Suleiman Khan, the son of the imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan, has accused Pakistan’s leadership of behaving like “tyrants” as supporters gear up for a march scheduled for October 4 in Islamabad. The protest was moved from September 27 after a series of arrests and road closures. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi confirmed Tuesday that the march would proceed from Peshawar, with participants expected to reach Swabi during the initial phase.
Authorities detained Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan in Lahore on September 20 under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order law. The following day, his sisters Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi were also taken into custody under the same legal framework. Additionally, officials detained PTI activists before the original protest date. Suleiman described these family arrests as part of a broader campaign of intimidation, using the term “tyranny” to reflect his family’s perspective, not an official legal verdict.
Amnesty International criticized these detentions as arbitrary and called on Pakistani authorities to release Khan’s relatives and PTI workers. The organization emphasized that such actions violated rights to liberty, expression, association, and peaceful assembly. Despite restrictions imposed around the planned demonstration citing public order concerns, the government has denied allegations of mistreatment toward Imran Khan in prison. The dispute has focused attention on detention conditions, protest rights, and access to the capital city amid growing tensions.
Security restrictions persist around Islamabad
Prior to the original march date, authorities installed shipping containers along roads surrounding Islamabad and limited routes connecting the city with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Large police and paramilitary forces have been deployed throughout Islamabad and nearby areas. While some major roads reopened after PTI postponed the protest, barriers remain near sensitive locations. The Red Zone of Islamabad, which houses Parliament, government offices, and foreign embassies, continues to be heavily guarded. Additionally, restrictions on public gatherings under Section 144 remain in place, limiting mass mobilization.
Since August 2023, Imran Khan has been incarcerated, serving a 14-year sentence related to a corruption case and a separate 17-year sentence in a case involving state gifts. PTI claims these cases are politically motivated, a view rejected by the government. His family has repeatedly expressed concerns about his health, medical treatment, and access to relatives and legal counsel. Authorities deny allegations of mistreatment, but his detention remains the core issue fueling PTI’s nationwide protest plans.
Suleiman Khan characterizes arrests as tyranny
PTI emphasizes that the October 4 rally will demand the release of Imran Khan and the protection of constitutional rights. Afridi stated that the march would begin from Peshawar, and the opposition alliance Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-Ayin-i-Pakistan has announced its participation. The rescheduling follows the party’s decision to delay the initial September 27 protest by one week. Authorities continue preparations around Islamabad, with PTI leaders asserting the demonstration will proceed as planned. The government has pledged to uphold public order and ensure access to the capital.
Suleiman Khan has called on Western governments to respond to what he describes as rule by “tyrants” in Pakistan. He linked this criticism to the detention of his aunts and other PTI supporters. Officials maintain that their measures are driven by security and public order concerns. With the march set for October 4, the key facts remain the detentions, security operations, and PTI’s demand for Imran Khan’s release, which continues to define the current political climate.