Imran Khan supporters clash with police in Islamabad amid anti-government rally

Police officers assemble next to shipping containers placed by authorities to block a road leading to important government buildings in an attempt to prevent supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan from holding a rally seeking his release in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

“Release Imran! Release Imran!” chanted protesters, waving pictures of Khan and PTI flags, less than a kilometre from the city’s red zone, which houses the country’s parliament and a fortified enclave of foreign embassies.

This rally was the latest in a series of protests since last month, calling for Khan’s release and opposing the ruling coalition, which the PTI deems illegitimate, claiming it was formed following a fraudulent election.

“It is their right to hold a gathering, but this is not the right time or the way,” Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told journalists, referring to the diplomatic events in the capital.

Supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chant slogans and ask for the release of Imran Khan during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.(AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim visited Islamabad on Thursday and Friday, while the city is also preparing to host a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) a week later. This event will see the attendance of India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, marking the first visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly a decade, amid strained relations between the two rival nations.

Naqvi noted that a Saudi delegation and Chinese Premier Li Qiang would arrive in Islamabad ahead of the conference. The government has called in the army to provide security in the capital starting Saturday in preparation for the events, according to Geo News.

Naqvi also urged Khan’s supporters to postpone their protest until after the SCO conference. However, Khan instructed his followers to gather outside parliament regardless of the obstacles. “This war has entered a decisive phase,” he posted on X.

Security personnel detain supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

A convoy of Khan’s supporters travelling towards the capital from the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also clashed with police, who deployed teargas to disperse them, according to Geo News.

Despite being imprisoned since August 2023, candidates backed by Khan secured the most seats in February’s election, although their numbers fell short of forming a government. His opponents, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, instead formed a coalition government.

Schools were closed in Islamabad and the neighbouring garrison city of Rawalpindi, where mobile phone services were also suspended.