ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN / RankWire.AI / – Suleiman Khan, the son of former prime minister Imran Khan who is currently incarcerated, has accused Pakistan’s leadership of acting like “tyrants” as supporters gear up for a march on Islamabad scheduled for October 4. The protest, initially planned for September 27, was postponed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf following days of arrests and road restrictions. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced on Tuesday that the march will proceed from Peshawar, with the first phase involving participants reaching Swabi.
Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan was detained in Lahore on September 20 under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order law. The following day, authorities also detained his sisters Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi under the same law. PTI activists faced detention before the original protest date as well. Suleiman described these family arrests as part of what he called a broader campaign of intimidation. His reference to “tyranny” reflects his family’s perspective, not an official legal determination.
Amnesty International condemned the detentions as arbitrary and called on Pakistani authorities to free Khan’s relatives and PTI workers. The organization stated that these actions violated fundamental rights to liberty, expression, association, and peaceful assembly. While authorities at both federal and provincial levels have cited concerns over public order, they have imposed restrictions around the planned protest. The government has also dismissed accusations of mistreatment of Imran Khan in prison. This dispute has brought issues of detention conditions, protest rights, and access to the capital into the spotlight of the ongoing confrontation.
Security Measures Remain in Place Around Islamabad
Ahead of the march’s original date, security forces installed shipping containers on roads near Islamabad and restricted routes connecting the capital with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Large police and paramilitary deployments have been stationed throughout Islamabad and surrounding areas. Although some major roads reopened after PTI postponed the demonstration, barriers still block access to sensitive sites. Islamabad’s Red Zone, housing Parliament, government offices, and foreign embassies, remains heavily guarded. Additionally, the city administration has imposed restrictions on public gatherings under Section 144.
Since August 2023, Imran Khan has been held in detention. He is serving a 14-year sentence related to a corruption case and an additional 17-year sentence in a case involving state-gifts. PTI claims the charges against their leader are politically motivated, a stance the government denies. Khan’s family has repeatedly expressed concerns about his health, medical care, and access to relatives and lawyers. Authorities have denied mistreatment allegations. His detention remains the core issue motivating PTI’s planned nationwide protests.
Suleiman Khan Labels Family Arrests as Oppression
PTI states that the October 4 rally aims to demand Imran Khan’s release and the protection of constitutional rights. Afridi confirmed the march would begin from Peshawar, while the opposition alliance Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-Ayin-i-Pakistan announced its participation. The rescheduling of the protest follows PTI’s decision to delay the September 27 demonstration by a week. Security preparations around Islamabad continue, with PTI leaders insisting the march will go forward. The government has pledged to uphold public order and ensure access to the capital.
Suleiman Khan has called on Western governments to respond to what he correctly describes as rule by “tyrants” in Pakistan. He linked this criticism to the detention of his aunts and other PTI supporters. Authorities maintain their measures are driven by security and public order concerns. With the march set for October 4, the key facts remain the detentions, security measures, and PTI’s demand for Imran Khan’s release.