Pakistani authorities have arrested thousands of supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan as the capital, Islamabad, remains under lockdown ahead of a planned rally demanding Khan’s release from prison, according to a security official on Sunday.
Imran Khan, who has been incarcerated for over a year, faces more than 150 criminal charges. Despite these legal challenges, he retains significant public support. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has consistently claimed the charges are politically motivated.
Police were seen detaining PTI supporters gathering for the rally in cities like Lahore, underscoring heightened tensions across the country. The rally is a part of PTI’s efforts to mobilize public pressure for Khan’s release and challenge what they describe as an attempt to suppress political opposition.