In a dramatic escalation of Pakistan’s political crisis, tens of thousands of supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan marched on the capital Islamabad on Tuesday, clashing violently with security forces as they demanded his release. The unrest left at least seven people dead and scores injured before police launched a sweeping midnight raid, firing teargas and arresting hundreds of protesters.
The march, led by Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi and other top leaders of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, saw upwards of 50,000 demonstrators break through multiple security barriers to reach the edge of Islamabad’s heavily guarded “red zone,” which houses key government buildings. Protesters faced off with police in riot gear, who rained down rubber bullets and teargas in a bid to prevent them from entering the restricted area.
Battleground in the Heart of Islamabad
By afternoon, the scene around D-Chowk, a central roundabout just outside the red zone, resembled a battleground. Defiant PTI supporters, many wielding sticks and hurling stones, pushed back against repeated police charges. Plumes of black smoke rose from burning tires and vehicles as the two sides struggled for control.
“Imran Khan is like a father figure for us and father of the nation. We are here for him. We won’t go without releasing Khan,” said Ibrar Khan, who had traveled from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in a convoy of protesters. “We are ready to sacrifice our lives for Khan but won’t leave without Khan.”
– PTI supporter at the protests
Government Vows Tough Response
The government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had taken extensive measures to block the protesters’ advance, shutting down public transport into the city and lining the streets with shipping containers and barbed wire. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi warned that authorities would not hesitate to impose a curfew or call in the army to stop Khan’s supporters from breaching the red zone.
“We will not let them cross our red lines,”
– Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi
But the barriers proved little match for the sheer number of protesters. As clashes intensified, the police found themselves increasingly overwhelmed. At least one officer was shot dead, while four paramilitary Rangers were reportedly run over by vehicles. Two PTI supporters also lost their lives in the violence.
Midnight Crackdown Thins Crowds
The day’s chaos gave way to an uneasy standoff as night fell, with protesters encamped around D-Chowk as police held the line. Then, around midnight, security forces launched a massive operation, unleashing fresh waves of teargas as they stormed the crowds. Local media showed scenes of panic, with people fleeing down side streets and alleyways.
When the smoke cleared in the early hours of Wednesday, most of the protesters had dispersed, leaving burned out vehicles and debris littering the streets. Authorities said they had arrested hundreds in the raid and seized caches of weapons. But defiant PTI leaders vowed to regroup, raising the specter of renewed confrontation.
Khan’s Arrest Fuels Turmoil
At the heart of the unrest is the controversial figure of Imran Khan himself. The former cricket star was ousted as prime minister in a no-confidence vote in 2022 and has since faced a barrage of legal challenges, including corruption charges he claims are politically motivated. His arrest earlier this month sparked an outpouring of anger from PTI loyalists who see him as a victim of persecution by Pakistan’s powerful military establishment.
“Khan’s arrest was the trigger, but there are much deeper tensions at play,” said a senior political analyst, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Many of his supporters feel the country’s elites are conspiring to silence a popular leader challenging the status quo. It’s an explosive situation.”
Tuesday’s “long march” on Islamabad, which Khan had billed as a “final call,” marked a significant escalation by the PTI to pressure the government into releasing him. While previous protest campaigns had fizzled out due to fatigue or lack of numbers, the party appears to have struck a chord this time around, drawing on deep veins of public anger.
Army’s Role Under Scrutiny
With no sign of compromise from either side, Pakistan appears headed for a period of prolonged instability. The nuclear-armed nation of 210 million has a history of political volatility and military interventions, and analysts warn the current crisis could provide an opening for another coup if left unchecked.
Much will depend on the stance taken by the military, which has long wielded outsized influence over Pakistan’s politics. Some in the PTI accuse the army leadership of abandoning Khan after propelling him to power in 2018, and even colluding in the cases against him. The generals deny any political meddling.
“The army is in a tight spot. If it intervenes to prop up the government, it risks inflaming public opinion further. But if it stands aside and lets the politicians fight it out, the country could descend into chaos,”
– A retired military official
As dawn broke over an uneasy Islamabad, it was clear the political battle lines had hardened. The government, having survived the immediate challenge to its writ, showed no indication of backing down. And for Khan’s supporters, the deaths of their comrades are likely to fuel even greater resolve. Pakistan, it seems, is in for a long, hot summer of discontent.
