Pakistani police have deployed tear gas to disperse supporters of detained ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan who were attempting to enter the capital, Islamabad, to stage a sit-in to press demands for his release. Anarchy broke out even as the city had been sealed, security forces deployed on streets had blocked off roads and a ban on any gathering was in place.
The protesters, who drove over 150 kilometers from Pakistan’s restive northwest, were unrelenting. “We are determined, and we will reach Islamabad,” vowed Kamran Bangash, a senior leader of the PTI party of ousted prime minister Imran Khan. Protesters, wearing gas masks, and armed with tools to take down roadblocks, clashed with the police, and several people on both sides were believed to have been injured. One police officer was confirmed dead.
Government Response and Rising Tensions
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said he was ready to allow a rally near Islamabad but threatened grave reprisals if protesters moved into the Red Zone, which houses key government buildings. Naqvi issued a dire warning late Monday night while talking to the media, saying, “If protesters fire bullets, the response will be equally severe.”
The protest coincided with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s diplomatic visit, highlighting the political and economic instability overshadowing Pakistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Khan’s political rival, criticized PTI’s timing, accusing it of deliberately undermining the country’s international image and fragile economy.
The Roots of the Unrest
Khan, overthrown through a no-confidence vote in 2022, has spent more than a year behind bars on various graft and criminal counts against him, whose party calls “politically motivated”. His troubles aside, however, Khan remains a major political figure and commands massive grassroots support.
The PTI has been blameful of authorities for heaviness, including the arrest of over 4,000 supporters and suspending mobile and internet services to stifle communication. Roads leading to the capital have been blocked using shipping containers, greatly disrupting transport and daily life.
The Human Cost
Video footage circulating online showed protesters using slingshots and rocks to counter police tear gas. Some were seen dismantling roadblocks with heavy machinery. “We will overcome all hurdles,” said Bangash, who revealed that Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, had addressed protesters earlier in the day.
Even media persons were not spared the violence. A video journalist with The Associated Press was attacked by protesters, who beat him on the head and smashed his equipment. As can be seen, the intensity and unpredictability of these protests are growing.
Impact on Daily Life
The unrest has brought the capital and surrounding areas to a standstill. Schools are still shut down, and the curfew has prevented people from seeing a doctor or going to work. Ambulances were spotted reversing from blocked roads as protesters and police fought for control.
Another grave concern is that of economic damage. Experts estimate billions of rupees worth of damages in protesting, worsening Pakistan’s economic vulnerabilities in terms of record inflation and currency devaluation.
Looking Ahead
With Khan’s supporters pushing toward the Red Zone of Islamabad, further forceful escalation will not be ignored by the government. But with neither party seeming to want to back down, a threat of greater violence is ever-present.
The government has declared this to be a judicial issue since Khan’s release, but PTI has made it known that it will continue protesting until its demands are met. Therefore, the political standoff hints at a polarized nation with consequences for Pakistan’s future stability and democratic direction.
Only time will tell if dialogue is going to prevail or if the confrontation continues spiraling out of control in the coming days.
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