Authorities in Pakistan have implemented extensive road closures around the capital city of Islamabad in preparation for anticipated protests demanding the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Police announced that the Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway, the Islamabad-Dera Ismail Khan Motorway, and the Grand Trunk Road would be closed at multiple points, with closures described as indefinite. The actions target supporters of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, which has organized demonstrations for September 27.
Khan has remained in detention since August 2023 following several convictions that his political party characterizes as politically motivated. While most of these convictions have subsequently been suspended or overturned through appeals, one conviction remains in place. The PTI has emphasized health concerns regarding Khan, particularly issues affecting his right eye that have required extended specialist medical treatment, as a central motivation for the release campaign. The demonstrations are expected to originate from Karachi, located approximately 1,150 kilometers to the southwest, and from Lahore, situated roughly 270 kilometers to the southeast.
Security preparations have been substantial, with authorities positioning approximately 2,000 shipping containers throughout the capital and strategic locations including Attock Bridge, which connects Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to other regions. Additional barriers and sandbags have been placed at Haroon Bridge, another critical provincial crossing. Nearly 30,000 security personnel have been deployed in the Attock district alone. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi issued a warning to the PTI on Monday, characterizing the planned protests as “drama” and cautioning that the party should reconsider its approach.
The PTI has maintained that peaceful protest represents a constitutional right and that the demonstrations aim to uphold the nation’s constitution while securing Khan’s release. Police also arrested Khan’s sister Aleema Khan at her Lahore residence under public order legislation, along with two additional sisters and several relatives. Separately, the opposition Jamaat-e-Islami party initiated its own march from Karachi on Sunday protesting fuel price increases and a petroleum levy exceeding 100 rupees per litre. However, after reaching Multan, the party announced a postponement of its march following a request from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to allow for direct discussions.
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