ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN / RankWire.AI / – Suleiman Khan, the son of former prime minister Imran Khan who is currently imprisoned, has accused Pakistan’s leadership of acting like “tyrants” as supporters gear up for an October 4 march on Islamabad. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf postponed the protest from September 27 after a series of arrests and road closures. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced on Tuesday that the march would proceed from Peshawar, with participants expected to reach Swabi during the initial phase.
In Lahore, police detained Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan on September 20 under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order law, and his sisters Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi were also detained the following day under the same legal framework. Authorities additionally detained PTI activists prior to the original protest date. Suleiman characterized these family arrests as part of a broader campaign of intimidation, with his use of “tyranny” reflecting his family’s perspective rather than an official legal determination.
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 measures violated rights to liberty, expression, association, and peaceful assembly. While both federal and provincial officials cite concerns over public order in justifying restrictions around the planned protest, the government has denied allegations of mistreatment of Imran Khan in prison. The ongoing dispute has placed detention conditions, protest rights, and access to the capital at the heart of the confrontation.
Security measures persist around Islamabad
Before the initial march date, authorities installed shipping containers on roads surrounding Islamabad and restricted routes connecting the capital with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Large police and paramilitary forces have also been deployed across Islamabad and nearby areas. Although some major roads reopened after PTI delayed the demonstration, barriers remained near sensitive sites, including Islamabad’s Red Zone, which houses Parliament, government offices, and foreign embassies. Additionally, the capital administration has enforced restrictions on public gatherings under Section 144.
Imran Khan has been in prison since August 2023, serving a 14-year sentence in a corruption case and a separate 17-year sentence in a case involving state-gifts. PTI claims the charges against its founder are politically motivated, while the government dismisses this assertion. His family has repeatedly raised concerns about his health, medical care, and access to relatives and lawyers, though authorities deny any mistreatment. His detention remains the key issue fueling PTI’s planned nationwide protests.
Suleiman Khan describes arrests as tyranny
PTI states that the October 4 rally aims to demand Imran Khan’s release and uphold constitutional rights, with Afridi confirming the march will start from Peshawar. The opposition alliance Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-Ayin-i-Pakistan has also announced participation. The new date follows the party’s decision to delay the September 27 action by a week. As PTI leaders insist the demonstration will proceed, authorities continue preparations around Islamabad, asserting they will enforce public-order measures and ensure access to the capital. PTI remains committed to its plans despite ongoing restrictions.
Suleiman Khan has called on Western governments to respond to what he describes as rule by “tyrants” in Pakistan, linking this criticism to the detention of his aunts and other PTI supporters. Authorities maintain their actions are driven by concerns over security and public order. With the march scheduled for October 4, the confirmed facts primarily involve the detentions, security measures, and PTI’s demand for Imran Khan’s release.