More than 100 supporters of jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan were arrested as supporters of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party held rallies across the country to mark three years of his imprisonment. The demonstrations, which called for Khan’s release, saw police use tear gas against 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 the restoration of his rights, with thousands of supporters gathering amid heavy security.
In Punjab, police baton-charged protesters and arrested scores of PTI workers in Lahore, Mianwali and Rawalpindi. On Lahore’s Mall Road, police dispersed demonstrators demanding Khan’s release and detained several protesters.
Videos circulated on social media appeared to show the Rapid Response Force using force against demonstrators. Some journalists covering the rally were also allegedly assaulted by police, prompting protests from media organisations.
PTI Punjab general secretary Chaudhry Bilal Ejaz said five party lawmakers were among 25 people 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 said.
PTI claimed that 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 that six workers were arrested in Pano Aqil and 15 in Kandhkot.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Suhail Afridi announced that PTI supporters would march towards Islamabad on September 27 if “justice” was not provided to Khan.
Addressing supporters in Peshawar, Afridi said the party’s first demand was for cases against Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to be heard and decided on merit. Its second demand, he said, was the restoration of meetings with their legal team, doctors, relatives and party leaders.
He claimed that if justice were delivered, Khan could be released “within 30 minutes”. Otherwise, he said, people from across Pakistan would march towards Islamabad on September 27.
Family, PTI leaders raise detention concerns
Aleema Khan, the former prime minister’s sister, said the movement for his release had already begun and that the next phase would be announced soon.
PTI senior leader Moonis Elahi alleged that Khan had been denied meetings and proper medical treatment and that his eyesight had 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 government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Amnesty International has also called on Pakistani authorities to uphold Khan’s rights. Acting Regional Director for South Asia Isabelle Lassee said authorities had systematically denied Khan the right to a fair trial, subjected him to prolonged solitary confinement and restricted his access to medical care and visitation rights.
Lassee further alleged that 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.
