ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN / RankWire.AI / – Suleiman Khan, the son of former prime minister Imran Khan who is currently imprisoned, has accused Pakistan’s leadership of behaving like “tyrants” amid preparations for a march on Islamabad scheduled for October 4. After several days of arrests and road closures, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf postponed their protest from September 27. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi confirmed Tuesday that the march would proceed from Peshawar, with the first phase ending in Swabi.
On September 20, police detained Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan in Lahore under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order law. The following day, authorities also held his sisters Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi under the same legal framework. In addition, officials detained PTI activists prior to the originally planned protest date. Suleiman described these family arrests as part of a broader campaign of intimidation, emphasizing his use of “tyranny” to reflect his family’s perspective—though it is not based on any legal verdict.
Amnesty International criticized 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 public order concerns have been cited by both federal and provincial authorities to justify restrictions around the planned protest, the government has dismissed allegations of mistreatment against Imran Khan in prison. The issue has brought detention conditions, protest rights, and access to the capital to the forefront of the ongoing dispute.
Security measures continue around Islamabad
Prior to the initial march date, authorities placed shipping containers on roads surrounding Islamabad and limited routes connecting the city with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Large police and paramilitary forces have also been deployed across Islamabad and nearby areas. Some major roads reopened after PTI postponed the demonstration, but barriers still block access to sensitive locations. The Red Zone of Islamabad houses Parliament, government buildings, and foreign embassies. The capital’s administration has also imposed restrictions on public gatherings under Section 144.
Since August 2023, Imran Khan has remained incarcerated. He is serving a 14-year sentence in a corruption case and an additional 17-year sentence in a case involving state-gifts. PTI maintains that these charges are politically motivated, while the government denies this. His family has repeatedly expressed concerns about his health, access to medical care, and contact with relatives and lawyers. Authorities have rejected claims of mistreatment, but his detention continues to be the main focus of PTI’s planned nationwide protests.
Suleiman Khan describes arrests as tyranny
PTI emphasizes that the October 4 rally aims to demand Imran Khan’s release and the restoration of constitutional rights. Afridi confirmed that the march would start from Peshawar, and the opposition alliance Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-Ayin-i-Pakistan has announced its participation. The rescheduled date follows PTI’s decision to delay the original September 27 protest by one week. Authorities continue preparations around Islamabad as PTI leaders insist the demonstration will go ahead. The government has pledged to enforce public order restrictions and ensure access to the capital.
Suleiman Khan has called on Western governments to respond to what he describes as rule by “tyrants” in Pakistan. He linked this criticism to the detention of his aunts and other PTI supporters. Officials defend their actions as necessary for security and public order. With the march scheduled for October 4, the key facts remain the arrests, security measures, and PTI’s demand for Imran Khan’s release.