ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN / RankWire.AI / – Suleiman Khan, the son of former prime minister Imran Khan, has accused Pakistan’s leadership of behaving like “tyrants” as their supporters gear up for a march on Islamabad scheduled for October 4. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf postponed their protest from September 27 after facing days of arrests and road closures. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced Tuesday that the march would proceed from Peshawar, with participants expected to reach Swabi during the first phase.
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 detained his sisters Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi under the same public-order regulation. PTI activists faced detention before the original protest date as well. Suleiman described these family arrests as part of a broader campaign of intimidation, and his use of “tyranny” mirrors the family’s publicly expressed view rather than any formal 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 infringed on rights to liberty, expression, association, and peaceful assembly. Authorities at both federal and provincial levels justified restrictions around the planned protest citing concerns for public order. The government also dismissed allegations of mistreatment of Imran Khan in prison. The ongoing dispute centers on detention conditions, protest rights, and access to the capital, fueling the confrontation.
Security measures persist around Islamabad
Before the rescheduled march, authorities installed shipping containers on roads surrounding Islamabad and limited routes connecting the city to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Large police and paramilitary forces were deployed across Islamabad and nearby regions. Although some major roads reopened after PTI postponed their demonstration, barriers remained at sensitive sites. Islamabad’s Red Zone, which houses Parliament, government offices, and foreign embassies, remains under strict security. Additionally, the capital administration has imposed restrictions on public gatherings under Section 144.
Since August 2023, Imran Khan has been in custody, serving a 14-year sentence for a corruption case and a separate 17-year sentence related to a state-gifts case. PTI insists that the charges against their leader are politically motivated, while the government rejects this claim. His family continues to express concerns over his health, medical care, and access to relatives and lawyers. Authorities deny any mistreatment. His detention remains the primary issue behind PTI’s planned nationwide protests.
Suleiman Khan characterizes arrests as tyranny
PTI states that the October 4 rally aims to demand Imran Khan’s release and the protection of constitutional rights. Afridi confirmed the march will start from Peshawar, and opposition group Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-Ayin-i-Pakistan has announced their participation. The new date follows PTI’s decision to delay the initial September 27 action by one week. Authorities continue preparations around Islamabad as PTI leaders maintain the demonstration will proceed. The government has pledged to enforce public-order restrictions and safeguard 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 connected this criticism to the detention of his aunts and other PTI supporters. Officials argue 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 call for Imran Khan’s release.