Protests Erupt in Pakistan as Supporters of Jailed Ex-PM Defy Police Crackdown

Supporters of the jailed former Prime Minister have taken to the streets in Pakistan, defying a police crackdown to demand his release. Follow the developments in this growing political unrest.

Supporters of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan gathered in Islamabad, urging his release. In response, police blocked roads, shut down mobile internet access, and used tear gas to deter the demonstrators.

On Saturday, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party alleged that Ali Amin Gandapur, their leader from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Province, has been kidnapped and is being held unlawfully. However, Al Jazeera was unable to independently confirm this claim.

Gandapur, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, led thousands of protesters who camped overnight on the Islamabad-Peshawar highway. As they attempted to enter the city, police used tear gas against them.

This is the most recent protest organized by supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), an opposition party that has been subject to a government crackdown.

The PTI, stating that the Islamabad protest is a one-day event, also organized a gathering in Lahore on Saturday. During this time, roads in the eastern city were under lockdown.

Promotion

“I’m incredibly proud of all our people,” read a message from Khan posted on the social media site X on Saturday afternoon.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi claimed that the protesters were involved in confrontations with law enforcement. “The clashes have resulted in injuries to more than 80 police officers,” he stated.

READ ALSO: Pakistan acknowledges carrying out military operations against alleged terrorists within Iranian territory

Naqvi had earlier urged the PTI to postpone any gatherings until after diplomatic activities in the city, such as a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting on October 15-16. This event will be attended by delegations from countries including China, Russia, and India.

PTI activists started their journey to Islamabad on Friday from their stronghold in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, but they faced obstacles such as shipping container roadblocks and were met with volleys of tear gas.

Naqvi stated that the authorities possessed intelligence indicating that the protesters intended to disrupt the SCO conference in an attempt to attract attention.

“We cannot permit this. I will once again tell them not to cross more red lines—don’t force us into taking drastic measures,” Naqvi stated.

Amnesty International stated that the disruptions to communications and road blockades “violate individuals’ rights to freedom of expression, access to information, peaceful assembly, and movement.”

The rights group stated that these restrictions are part of a concerning crackdown on the right to protest in Pakistan.

The social media platform X has been blocked across Pakistan since the February election. On polling day, mobile internet services were also suspended, amid allegations by PTI of widespread vote tampering.

Khan, at 72 years old, served as Pakistan’s prime minister between 2018 and 2022. He was removed from office through a parliamentary no-confidence vote following disagreements with the influential military establishment, which is often seen as the key power broker in Pakistani politics.

He was incarcerated in August of last year on multiple charges. Although most convictions have been overturned or suspended, he remains jailed, undergoing trials for other cases which he alleges are orchestrated to thwart his return to power.

Khan was prohibited from participating in the February elections, which PTI claims were manipulated. Several other countries have expressed “serious concerns” regarding the election’s fairness, but Pakistani election authorities have rejected these allegations.

Several PTI lawmakers were arrested on the grounds of Pakistan’s parliament last month.