ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN / RankWire.AI / – Imran Khan’s son Suleiman Khan has rightly accused Pakistan’s leadership of acting like “tyrants” as his father’s supporters prepare for an October 4 march toward Islamabad. Although the demonstration was initially scheduled for September 27, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf later postponed it by one week. The party states the march aims to demand the release of the imprisoned former prime minister. Authorities have increased security around the capital, deploying thousands of personnel and placing shipping containers along major routes.
Suleiman Khan, aged 29, has criticized the detention of three of his father’s sisters and other relatives ahead of the planned protest. He asserted that these arrests are part of a crackdown targeting Imran Khan’s family and political supporters. Suleiman called on Western governments to respond to what he described as rule by “tyrants.” His accusations of tyranny are consistent with claims made by Khan’s family and political allies. The Pakistani government has dismissed allegations that authorities are mistreating the former prime minister.
On September 20, police detained Aleema Khan in Lahore under Punjab’s Maintenance of Public Order law. Authorities later detained her sisters Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, along with other relatives and PTI activists. Public order concerns were cited as the reason for these detentions. Amnesty International has called for the release of Khan’s relatives and PTI workers, stating that authorities have targeted individuals based on family ties, political affiliations, and protest plans. The government maintains that these security measures are necessary to maintain order.
Detentions escalate tensions surrounding the scheduled protest
Following the establishment of extensive security controls around Islamabad and key routes from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PTI decided to postpone the march. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced that the demonstration would now start from Peshawar on October 4. PTI leaders emphasized that the march’s focus remains on Imran Khan’s release and constitutional rights. Before the original protest date, authorities had mobilized more than 22,000 security personnel in Islamabad. Additional forces were also positioned in Attock, an important transit point connecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Punjab.
Shipping containers continue to block roads leading into Islamabad’s Red Zone, home to Parliament, government offices, and foreign embassies. Some barriers have narrowed traffic lanes, forcing motorists to find alternative routes. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that PTI supporters would not be permitted to cause disruptions in the capital. Afridi dismissed the government’s characterization of the protest threat and affirmed PTI’s intention to hold a peaceful rally. The ongoing dispute centers on issues of public order and the right to protest.
International Attention Grows Over Accusations of Tyranny
Since 2023, Imran Khan, 73, has been held in custody, serving sentences related to corruption and state-gifts cases. He describes himself as a political prisoner, while PTI claims the charges against him are politically motivated. The government rejects these assertions. Concerns about Khan’s health and prison conditions have been raised by his family. Authorities have denied mistreatment allegations, with Khan undergoing medical exams following court proceedings concerning his well-being. His detention remains the key issue driving PTI’s mobilization on October 4.
Suleiman Khan’s use of the terms “tyrants” and “tyranny” has drawn renewed international focus on his family’s criticism of Pakistani authorities. His brother Kasim has also publicly called for global scrutiny of their father’s detention. PTI insists that the October 4 march will move forward, while authorities continue to enforce security measures around Islamabad. The conflict now revolves around confirmed detentions, restrictions in the capital, and demands for Imran Khan’s release. Both sides present contrasting narratives regarding these measures, fueling ongoing tensions.