Leaders of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf have announced that a planned nationwide demonstration demanding the former prime minister’s release will go ahead despite a government crackdown aimed at preventing supporters from reaching Islamabad.

The PTI has postponed the start of the march from September 27 to October 4, saying the additional week would help build pressure on the government. Authorities have responded by deploying thousands of security personnel, blocking major routes and pursuing arrest warrants against senior party leaders.

PTI Sets October 4 For Islamabad March

PTI leaders announced the revised date on Friday as concerns continued to grow over Khan’s treatment in prison. The former prime minister has been incarcerated since 2023 in connection with corruption cases, all of which he has denied.

The planned demonstration is expected to test the strength of the PTI, which remains a major political force despite a prolonged crackdown. Khan continues to be a rallying figure for his supporters, while the government has taken measures to limit the party’s political activity.

The ruling coalition is led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir is widely regarded as the country’s de facto leader.

Sohail Afridi, chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said the party would proceed with the march unless the government agreed to significant concessions over Khan’s treatment and prison conditions, including what PTI described as a fair hearing in his cases.

“The government is panicking – that’s why they have put Islamabad under siege, that’s why they are abducting our ministers,” Afridi said. “But Imran Khan is the most popular leader of the country, and people will come out for him. I am certain they won’t be able to stop the public power of the masses when they come out on the streets and take to Islamabad.”

Arrests And Security Measures Intensify

The government crackdown intensified this week, with dozens of PTI leaders and former ministers detained or facing arrest warrants. Khan’s three sisters were also arrested on Monday and remain in custody after being charged with posing a grave threat to security.

Afridi is among those facing arrest. His province, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is a stronghold of the PTI and is expected to be a major source of supporters travelling towards Islamabad for the demonstration, according to the Guardian.

Afridi acknowledged that the extensive security preparations had raised fears of clashes between authorities and protesters trying to enter the capital. Similar confrontations have occurred during previous PTI demonstrations.

The government has deployed tens of thousands of security officials across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and closed the main highway connecting Peshawar with Islamabad.

“I know they can go to any extent to stop us by brute force; we have no doubt about it,” Afridi said. “But if we have a large number of people, they can’t open fire at us. Our plan is to bring so many people that they surrender.”

Faisal Karim Kundi, the central government-appointed governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, defended the security measures as necessary precautions and accused the PTI of seeking to create “instability and violence”.

“The state can’t allow any violent group to march on Islamabad,” Kundi said.

Islamabad Faces Roadblocks And Business Disruption

Authorities have introduced extensive restrictions in Islamabad in an effort to prevent PTI supporters from entering the capital. More than 1,000 shipping containers have reportedly been placed on roads, with some fitted with spikes, while sandbags have been positioned on bridges.

A major highway into Islamabad has also been closed and public gatherings have been prohibited in the city. Around 22,000 police and other security personnel have been deployed across the capital.

The measures have disrupted transport, businesses and supplies, adding to frustration among residents. Shahid, a 76-year-old retired businessman, said the restrictions had left ordinary citizens struggling.

“The entire city is suffering. The government has shut down the whole city and we, as citizens, are helpless. I have never seen such a situation. Joblessness, inflation and insecurity have made our lives hell, but does the government care? No.”

PTI Raises Concerns Over Khan’s Prison Conditions

The government’s efforts to restrict the PTI have extended beyond street demonstrations. Media organisations have reportedly been instructed not to refer to Khan by name, while the party has alleged that the former prime minister is being held in solitary confinement and denied adequate medical treatment.

PTI has also alleged that Khan has been denied contact with his family and lawyers for months. Khan has rejected the charges against him and said his imprisonment is politically motivated because of the threat he poses to the government and military.

According to the PTI, all but one of the court rulings against Khan have been overturned.

Concerns Over Wider Protest Movement

Analysts cited in the report said the government and its military backers are concerned that the PTI demonstration could develop into a broader protest movement and pose a challenge to the administration.

Pakistan has faced repeated political demonstrations in recent years, including protests organised by Khan’s supporters. Analysts have also drawn comparisons with large protest movements that contributed to political upheaval in Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Pakistani political columnist Niaz Murtaza said the authorities were watching developments elsewhere in South Asia.

“They have an eye on what has happened in South Asia over the last five years, where country after country has seen huge protests snowballing suddenly out of nowhere and sweeping away a government,” Murtaza said.

“Given the breadth of grievances in Pakistan at the moment, the performance of the government has been so poor on the economy and security, while the repression is so high, that they are very nervous that the whole situation could combust very quickly.”

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