Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Pakistan Locks Down Capital Ahead of Imran Khan Protest March
Pakistan is preparing for a large protest by supporters of Imran Khan.
Khan is a former prime minister who is in prison.
His political party wants him released and plans to march toward Parliament on Sunday.
The government has blocked roads with shipping containers and sent thousands of security officers to the capital.
It has also banned large gatherings in Islamabad.
The government says it wants to prevent violence and major disruptions.
Khan’s party says the restrictions unfairly stop people from protesting peacefully.
An International Monetary Fund team is also expected to visit Islamabad for economic talks if the city remains calm.
Pakistan has deployed more than 22,000 security personnel and about 1,000 shipping containers around Islamabad ahead of Sunday’s planned protest.
Supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party plan to march on Parliament to demand his release.
Authorities have closed major routes, banned public gatherings under Section 144, and considered internet and mobile service restrictions.
The government says it will prevent the protest from paralyzing the country, while PTI says the restrictions violate its constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
An International Monetary Fund team is scheduled to travel to Islamabad Monday for talks on Pakistan’s $7 billion bailout program, if conditions remain normal.
- Who
- Supporters of Imran Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, along with Pakistani government and security authorities.
- What
- Authorities are restricting access to Islamabad to stop a planned protest march demanding Khan’s release.
- When
- The protest is planned for Sunday; an International Monetary Fund team is due in Islamabad on Monday.
- Where
- Islamabad and routes leading to Pakistan’s capital, including links with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
- Why
- The government says the measures are intended to prevent disruption and disorder, while PTI says they infringe on peaceful protest rights.
Government and Security Authorities
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
Protest restrictions
Government and Security Authorities
The government is imposing road closures, security deployments, and gathering restrictions to prevent the march from causing disorder or bringing the country to a standstill.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
PTI says the measures infringe on its constitutional right to peaceful protest.
Khan’s imprisonment
Government and Security Authorities
Khan remains imprisoned under a 14-year sentence in a corruption case, and Pakistani authorities deny allegations that he is being held in inhumane conditions.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
Khan’s family and lawyers allege that prison authorities keep him in a small cell for 23 hours a day without natural light or contact with other prisoners.
Expected atmosphere
Government and Security Authorities
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said there was no possibility that protesters would bring the country to a standstill.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan said the march would have a festive atmosphere, with Pakistan flags throughout Islamabad.
- Security deployment
- More than 22,000 security personnel are expected to be deployed.
- Road barricades
- About 1,000 shipping containers have been placed across Islamabad.
- Public gathering ban
- Section 144 restrictions ban gatherings of five or more people, rallies, and public demonstrations in Islamabad for two months.
- Imran Khan’s sentence
- Khan is serving a 14-year sentence in a corruption case.
- Economic program
- The International Monetary Fund is reviewing Pakistan’s $7 billion bailout program.
- Planned protest
- PTI supporters intend to march on Parliament on Sunday.