Imran Khan’s three years in jail spark protests across Pakistan; over 100 held

Over 100 supporters of jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan were arrested on Wednesday as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters held rallies nationwide to mark three years of his imprisonment. The demonstrations, which called for Khan’s release, saw police fire tear gas at protesters in Rawalpindi amid clashes and heightened security.The main rally was held in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where PTI is in power. The party demanded Khan’s release and restoration of his rights. Thousands of supporters gathered amid heavy security, according to Al Jazeera.In Punjab, Police baton-charged protesters and arresting scores of PTI workers in Lahore, Mianwali and Rawalpindi. In Lahore’s Mall Road, police dispersed demonstrators demanding Khan’s release and detained several protesters.Video footage circulated on social media showed rapid response force (RRF) using force against demonstrators. Some journalists covering the rally were also allegedly thrashed by police, prompting protests from media bodies.PTI Punjab general secretary Chaudhry Bilal Ejaz said five party lawmakers were among 25 others arrested in Lahore.“Despite this era of oppression, repression, and fascism, a large number of PTI workers and office-bearers in Punjab staged protest rallies and pledged to stand with Imran Khan,” he told news agency PTI.According to PTI, at least 50 workers were arrested in Mianwali, Rawalpindi and other parts of Punjab. In Karachi, police used tear gas to disperse PTI supporters protesting in Saddar Town and arrested more than 10 demonstrators. The party also claimed six workers were arrested in Pano Aqil and 15 in Kandhkot.

Peshawar rally sets September 27 deadline

On Wednesday, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Muhammad Suhail Afridi announced that PTI supporters will march towards Islamabad on September 27 if ‘justice’ is not provided to Khan.Addressing supporters in Peshawar, Afridi said the party’s first demand was for cases against Khan and his wife to be heard and decided on merit. Its second demand, he said, was restoration of meetings with their legal team, doctors, relatives and party leaders.He claimed that if justice is delivered, Khan can be released “within 30 minutes”. Otherwise, he said, people from across Pakistan will march to Islamabad on September 27.

Family, PTI leaders raise detention concerns

Aleema Khan, sister of the ousted PM, said the movement for his release had already begun and its next phase would be announced soon.PTI senior leader Moonis Elahi alleged that Khan “has been denied meetings and proper medical treatment, and his eyesight has also deteriorated” in prison.Khan, 73, was arrested on August 5, 2023, and has remained in prison while facing multiple cases. His party has repeatedly alleged that the cases are politically motivated, a charge denied by the Shehbaz Sharif-led government.Amnesty International, a global non-governmental organization, also called on Pakistani authorities to uphold Khan’s rights. Acting Regional Director for South Asia Isabelle Lassee said, “For three years, Pakistan’s authorities have systematically denied Imran Khan the right to a fair trial, subjected him to prolonged solitary confinement, and limited his access to medical care and visitation rights.”Lassee further said Khan had not been allowed to meet his family for more than eight months and that he and his wife, Bushra Bibi, had been denied regular access to legal counsel since December 2025.