Pakistan’s police reported on Wednesday the arrest of nearly 1,000 protesters who had stormed the capital, demanding the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The unrest, marked by the largest political gathering since February’s contentious elections, has heightened tensions in a country already grappling with political and economic instability.
The demonstrators, numbering over 10,000, defied a government-imposed lockdown and a ban on public gatherings, clashing with a security force of 20,000 officers deployed to maintain control. Violent confrontations ensued, leaving five security personnel dead, according to government sources. Protesters aimed to occupy a central public square in Islamabad but were met with tear gas, batons, and mass arrests.
Imran Khan, the charismatic 72-year-old former cricket star and leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has been imprisoned since August 2023. His detention, along with a wave of legal challenges he describes as politically motivated, has fueled his supporters’ anger.
Khan’s PTI party has maintained a campaign of defiance against what it calls a government crackdown designed to stifle dissent. Tuesday’s massive protest followed months of smaller rallies and marked a significant escalation in the PTI’s confrontation with the administration of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Protesters, led by key PTI figure Ali Amin Gandapur and Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi—herself briefly jailed earlier this year—sought to rekindle momentum for Khan’s political resurgence. Gandapur vowed continued resistance, retreating to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where he serves as chief minister, to strategize further actions.
“The movement is continuing, and it will be ended only by Imran Khan,” Gandapur declared, signaling that Tuesday’s retreat was a temporary setback rather than a concession.
The government, however, stood firm. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi lauded the security forces for “bravely repulsing the protesters” and reiterated the administration’s commitment to maintaining order. The government had imposed a virtual siege on Islamabad, cutting mobile internet services, closing schools, and erecting roadblocks that paralyzed daily life for millions.
Prime Minister Sharif denounced the protests as “extremism,” holding regular press briefings to emphasize the state’s no-tolerance policy toward PTI demonstrations. However, the heavy-handed approach has drawn widespread criticism both domestically and internationally.
Amnesty International condemned the government’s use of “unlawful and excessive force,” while the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan called for immediate dialogue between Khan’s PTI and Sharif’s ruling coalition to prevent further unrest.
“It is high time that they agree on a peaceful way forward instead of whipping up the emotions of their respective political workers and bringing the country to a standstill,” the commission stated.
The crackdown has deepened public resentment against the government and the military establishment, which has long been accused of manipulating Pakistan’s political landscape. Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at The Wilson Center, noted that the protests underscore a broader dissatisfaction with the state of governance.
“Pakistan’s protests had no winners,” Kugelman wrote on social media. “Anger towards the establishment has increased, while at the same time, PTI was forced to retreat. Pakistan on the whole is burdened by a worsening confrontation.”
The unrest also poses significant economic challenges for Pakistan, a nation of 240 million people already grappling with high inflation, a depreciating currency, and rising unemployment. The protest-induced lockdowns in Islamabad disrupted businesses, education, and public services, further exacerbating the plight of ordinary citizens.
Despite his imprisonment, Khan remains a potent political force. His tenure as prime minister from 2018 to 2022 saw him rise as a populist leader challenging the military-dominated status quo. After his removal through a no-confidence vote, Khan launched a relentless campaign against the military’s perceived interference in politics.
Although sidelined by legal challenges and the August elections, Khan’s PTI secured more parliamentary seats than any other party. However, a coalition of parties seen as more favorable to the military denied PTI a chance to form a government.
From his prison cell, Khan has continued to galvanize his supporters, calling for mass mobilization. His message resonates with a significant segment of Pakistan’s population, particularly the youth and urban middle class, who view him as a symbol of resistance against entrenched elites.
As the political confrontation escalates, there are growing calls for reconciliation to prevent further violence. Analysts warn that the continued standoff could plunge Pakistan into deeper chaos, undermining its fragile democracy.
The Human Rights Commission and other civic organizations have urged both sides to prioritize dialogue over confrontation. Some political analysts believe that external mediation might be required to break the deadlock, though such interventions could further complicate the situation.
The events in Islamabad reflect a broader struggle for Pakistan’s democratic future. The Sharif government’s approach to quelling dissent has drawn scrutiny, with many questioning whether it can maintain legitimacy amid such widespread discontent. At the same time, PTI’s persistent protests highlight the enduring appeal of Khan’s leadership, even from behind bars.
