Islamabad was effectively locked down on Saturday as supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan clashed with security forces, prompting road closures and a mobile internet blackout. The protests come as Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party continues to challenge the government, despite an ongoing crackdown.
Imran Khan, barred from participating in the February elections due to multiple legal cases, remains a central figure for PTI, which has been holding regular demonstrations. Allegations of election rigging have also fueled discontent among his supporters.
On Friday, PTI activists began their journey from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province towards Islamabad, but were met with heavy resistance from security forces. Roads were blocked with shipping containers, and tear gas was deployed to disperse the crowds. Despite these obstacles, small groups of protestors continued their efforts on Saturday, attempting to reach the capital.
In response, the government deployed troops in the city to ensure security ahead of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on October 15. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi later confirmed that over 550 protestors had been arrested. Protests were also reported in Lahore, although the main motorway connecting the city to Islamabad was closed.
Imran Khan, currently imprisoned, expressed his pride in his supporters via a post on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “You showed unfaltering resilience and courage as you came out yesterday and overcame unbelievable obstacles.”
Amnesty International criticized the government’s measures, stating that the communication cuts and roadblocks infringe on basic human rights, including freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The rights group also condemned the restrictions as part of a broader clampdown on the right to protest in Pakistan.
Social media platform X has been blocked across the country since the February elections, during which mobile internet was also cut amid allegations of vote tampering.
Khan, who served as prime minister from 2018 until his ousting in 2022, claims that the numerous court cases against him are part of a coordinated effort to keep him from regaining power. Despite his legal battles, his supporters remain steadfast in their opposition to the current government.