Over 240 Imran Khan Supporters Arrested in Pakistan Protests for His Release from Jail

More than 240 supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan were arrested during widespread protests demanding his release from custody, marking one of the largest demonstrations in recent months. The unrest, which took place across several major cities, saw police deploy tear gas and make mass arrests, signaling a deepening political and social divide in the country.

The protests, which coincided with the second anniversary of Khan’s imprisonment, were largely peaceful at first but quickly escalated into confrontations with law enforcement. In Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, over 122 people were arrested for blocking roads and disrupting public order. Additional arrests were made during overnight raids in the same province, according to security officials.

Thousands of Khan’s supporters gathered in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the stronghold of his political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). In Karachi and Muzaffarabad, police used tear gas to disperse crowds, while in Quetta, PTI women supporters chanted slogans demanding the government's downfall. In Karachi, nearly 2,000 activists, some traveling on bikes and rickshaws, marched with posters and party flags before being dispersed.

Despite the heavy-handed response from police, Khan’s supporters remain resolute. In a message attributed to the former prime minister, he urged his followers to “come out and hold peaceful protests until a true democracy is restored.” Khan, who was ousted in 2022 after falling out with the military, has consistently denied the charges against him, calling them politically motivated.

Khan’s arrest in May 2023 sparked nationwide protests, leading to a crackdown on the PTI party. He was convicted in January of a corruption case, but was acquitted of other charges or received suspended sentences. His party, which secured the most votes in the 2024 elections, claims that electoral fraud robbed it of additional seats. However, other parties formed a coalition government under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who denies any wrongdoing.

The protests have intensified the political crisis in Pakistan, with both the PTI and the ruling government accusing each other of inciting unrest. Punjab’s provincial government has warned that the PTI must not be allowed to create chaos, a claim the party’s spokesperson has firmly rejected.

The situation remains tense as Khan’s supporters continue to push for his release and the restoration of what they view as a legitimate democratic system. With the country’s political landscape increasingly polarized, the outcome of these events could have far-reaching consequences for Pakistan’s stability and future governance.