A massive security operation is underway in Islamabad after Imran Khan’s supporters defied barricades and lockdowns to demand his release, leading to clashes and casualties

In a dramatic escalation of unrest, Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, was plunged into turmoil on Tuesday as security forces clashed with thousands of supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The demonstrators, rallying under the banner of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, gathered in defiance of a series of harsh security measures imposed by the government in a bid to quell protests demanding his release.

Khan, who has been imprisoned since his conviction on corruption charges earlier this year, has become a rallying point for a growing movement that challenges the country’s military-backed government. On Monday, he had called on his supporters to march towards the capital, escalating the already volatile political situation.

As the protesters began to gather, authorities swiftly imposed a lockdown on Islamabad, with major roads leading into the city barricaded to block access. In addition, the government instituted widespread internet shutdowns, limiting communications and media coverage of the unrest. Despite these drastic measures, PTI supporters pushed on, breaking through barricades and marching toward the capital.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi warned that protesters would be allowed to assemble on the outskirts of the city but made it clear that any attempt to breach the perimeter would be met with extreme force. The government’s response was swift and forceful—security forces clashed with demonstrators as they neared Islamabad’s high-security red zone, an area home to key government buildings, embassies, and the residence of the Prime Minister. Tear gas was deployed, and reports of mass arrests flooded in, with some protesters also injured in the violent confrontations.

As the night wore on, the unrest continued to unfold, with many fearing the situation could spiral further out of control. It was reported that several people had died in the violence, mostly at the hands of security forces. While official figures have yet to be confirmed, eyewitness accounts and media outlets suggest that the clashes between protesters and the police have left a bloody toll.

The protests come at a particularly delicate time for the government, as Islamabad is also hosting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for a three-day official visit. The Belarusian leader arrived on Monday for talks with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, further complicating an already volatile security situation. The government had already bolstered security around the capital for Lukashenko’s visit, and the protests, which coincided with the Belarusian delegation’s arrival, have added to the pressure on authorities.

Khan’s supporters have long accused the government of unlawfully imprisoning the former prime minister and political leader, alleging that his conviction was politically motivated. Despite his imprisonment, Khan remains an influential figure in Pakistani politics, with his party’s stronghold in Punjab and across the country making it clear that he has a loyal following ready to take to the streets at a moment’s notice.

The current wave of protests is not the first instance of civil unrest sparked by Khan’s legal troubles. Over the past few months, demonstrations have broken out in various parts of Pakistan, with the PTI leadership urging supporters to take action against what they see as a politically driven judicial system and a military-backed government.

The unrest has thrown the country into a state of uncertainty, as the political divide widens between Khan’s supporters and the government. While the PTI continues to call for Khan’s release and for the restoration of what they view as Pakistan’s democratic process, the government appears determined to maintain control through security crackdowns and the imposition of strict measures to prevent protests from spiraling into larger-scale violence.

As the situation in Islamabad remains tense, Pakistan’s future political landscape looks increasingly fraught. With Khan’s supporters undeterred and the government’s response growing more severe, the country faces a precarious period of unrest that could have far-reaching consequences for both domestic stability and its international relations. The eyes of the world are now firmly fixed on Islamabad as the government grapples with one of its most significant political crises in years.