ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN / RankWire.AI / – Suleiman Khan, the son of Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated, has accused Pakistan’s leadership of behaving like “tyrants,” as supporters gear up for a march on Islamabad scheduled for October 4. The protest organized by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was moved from September 27 following a series of arrests and road closures. On Tuesday, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi confirmed that the march would continue from Peshawar, with participants expected to reach Swabi in the initial phase.
Authorities detained Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan in Lahore on September 20 under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order law. The following day, his sisters Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi were also held under the same law. Additionally, officials detained PTI activists before the original protest date. Suleiman Khan described these family arrests as part of what he called a broader campaign of intimidation, and his use of the term “tyranny” reflects his family’s viewpoint rather than an official legal conclusion.
Amnesty International condemned the detentions as arbitrary and called on Pakistani authorities to release Khan’s relatives and PTI workers. The organization stated that these actions infringed upon rights to liberty, expression, association, and peaceful assembly. While government officials at the federal and provincial levels cited concerns over public order to justify restrictions around the planned protest, they also denied any mistreatment of Imran Khan in detention. The ongoing dispute has brought issues of detention conditions, protest rights, and access to Islamabad to the forefront of the confrontation.
Security Measures Continue Around Islamabad
Before the original march date, authorities installed shipping containers along roads surrounding Islamabad and restricted routes connecting the capital to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Large police and paramilitary forces were deployed across Islamabad and nearby areas to maintain security. Although some major roads reopened following PTI’s decision to postpone the demonstration, barriers still remained near sensitive sites. The Red Zone of Islamabad, which houses Parliament, government offices, and foreign embassies, continued to be under restrictions, with the capital administration enforcing Section 144 to limit public gatherings.
Since August 2023, Imran Khan has been in prison, serving a 14-year sentence related to a corruption case and an additional 17-year sentence in a case involving state-gifts. PTI maintains that the charges against its founder are politically motivated, a claim the government denies. Khan’s family has repeatedly raised concerns about his health, access to medical care, and his ability to see relatives and lawyers. Authorities have dismissed allegations of mistreatment. His detention remains the central issue motivating PTI’s planned nationwide protests.
Suleiman Khan Labels Detentions as Oppressive
PTI has announced that the October 4 rally aims to demand Imran Khan’s release and uphold constitutional rights. Afridi confirmed the march will originate from Peshawar, and the opposition alliance Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-Ayin-i-Pakistan has also indicated its participation. The new date follows PTI’s decision to delay the initial September 27 protest by one week. Despite the postponement, authorities continue preparations around Islamabad while PTI leaders insist the march will proceed as planned. The government has stated it will enforce public order restrictions and safeguard access to the capital.
Suleiman Khan has called on Western governments to respond to what he describes as rule by “tyrants” in Pakistan. He connected this critique to the detention of his aunts and other PTI supporters. Officials argue that their measures are driven by concerns for security and public order. As the march approaches on October 4, the key facts remain the arrests, security measures, and PTI’s call for Imran Khan’s release.