ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN / RankWire.AI / – Imran Khan’s son Suleiman Khan has strongly accused Pakistan’s leadership of behaving like “tyrants” as his father’s supporters gear up for a march toward Islamabad scheduled for October 4. Originally set for September 27, the PTI demonstration was postponed by a week. The party states that the march aims to demand the release of the former prime minister, who is currently imprisoned. Security has been heightened around the capital, with thousands of personnel deployed and shipping containers placed along major routes.
Suleiman Khan, aged 29, has condemned the detention of three of his father’s sisters and other relatives prior to the protest. He claimed 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 echo those made by Khan’s family and political allies. The Pakistani government, however, has dismissed allegations of mistreatment against the former prime minister.
On September 20, Aleema Khan was detained 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. Officials said the arrests were due to concerns over public order. Amnesty International has called for the release of Khan’s relatives and PTI workers, stating that authorities targeted individuals based on family ties, political affiliations, and protest plans. The government asserts that these security measures are necessary to maintain order.
Detentions escalate tensions over upcoming 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 officials emphasized that the march would still focus on Imran Khan’s release and constitutional rights. Before the initial date, authorities had mobilized over 22,000 security personnel in Islamabad, with additional forces positioned in Attock, a crucial link between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.
Roads leading to Islamabad’s Red Zone, which houses Parliament, government offices, and foreign embassies, remain blocked by shipping containers. Some barriers have reduced traffic lanes, forcing drivers to take alternative routes. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that PTI supporters would not be permitted to disrupt the capital. Afridi, however, dismissed the government’s characterization of the protest threat, asserting that PTI plans to hold a peaceful rally. The situation continues to revolve around public order concerns and protest rights, fueling the ongoing confrontation.
International spotlight on accusations of tyranny
Imran Khan, 73, has been detained since 2023 and is serving sentences related to corruption and state-gifts cases. He describes himself as a political prisoner, and PTI claims the charges against him are politically motivated. The government, however, denies these allegations. Khan’s family has expressed concern about his health and prison conditions. Authorities have refuted claims of mistreatment, and Khan underwent medical examinations following court proceedings concerning his health. His incarceration remains the key issue fueling PTI’s mobilization on October 4.
The use of the terms “tyrants” and “tyranny” by Suleiman Khan has brought renewed international attention to his family’s criticism of Pakistani authorities. His brother Kasim has also publicly called for international scrutiny regarding their father’s detention. While PTI affirms that the October 4 march will go ahead, authorities continue to enforce security measures around Islamabad. The core dispute now involves confirmed detentions, restrictions on the capital, and demands for Imran Khan’s release, with both sides offering sharply contrasting narratives about these actions.