A convoy of vehicles carrying protesters set off from Peshawar on Sunday, aiming to reach Islamabad, approximately 180 kilometers (110 miles) away, as part of a “long march.” The protesters, led by Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi and Ali Amin Gandapur, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which remains controlled by Khan’s party, planned to stage a sit-in at D-Chowk, a large square near Pakistan’s parliament.
By Monday, the protesters had reached the outskirts of Islamabad, defying a two-day security lockdown and a rally ban. Police attempted to disperse the crowds with tear gas and roadblocks, including shipping containers, to prevent them from advancing. There were reports of fires along the highway, and 22 police vehicles were set on fire just outside Islamabad and elsewhere in Punjab. Clashes resulted in casualties, including at least one police officer killed and several others injured. Authorities reported that five people had died, including four security officials and one civilian, with multiple sources saying a car rammed into the crowd.
By Tuesday morning, protesters had breached the city limits and marched past Zero Point, a key interchange, before reaching the Blue Area, Islamabad’s business district. The crowd eventually arrived at D-Chowk. In response, soldiers were deployed outside government buildings, including parliament and the Supreme Court, to maintain order.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that security forces had suffered bullet wounds but were exercising restraint. However, he warned that if protesters crossed certain lines, security forces were authorized to return fire and could implement measures such as curfews or military deployments. Thousands of Khan’s supporters have already been arrested in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab as authorities attempted to prevent the protests.
Protests intensified despite heavy security measures, including a lockdown, internet blackouts, and barricades around the capital. Schools in Islamabad and Rawalpindi were closed, and public transport services were suspended. PTI senior leader Kamran Bangash expressed determination, saying protesters would overcome all obstacles.
The protests are fueled by demands for the release of Khan and other political prisoners, the repeal of a constitutional amendment giving the government increased powers over the selection of judges for political cases, and claims that the February elections were not free or fair. Khan’s supporters describe his ouster in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in 2022 as part of a larger conspiracy between the government and military to remove him from power.
Since his imprisonment, Khan has become a symbol of opposition, with his detention further escalating tensions between his supporters and the powerful military. The protests coincide with ongoing sectarian violence and militant attacks in Pakistan, adding to the country’s instability
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