Authorities in Pakistan reopened roads connecting the capital, Islamabad, to the rest of the country on Wednesday, ending a four-day lockdown that had been imposed in response to violent protests. The unrest was sparked by supporters of Imran Khan, the imprisoned former Prime Minister, who had marched to Islamabad demanding his release. In an attempt to disperse the crowds, police used tear gas and fired into the air, resulting in clashes that left at least seven people dead.
The protests, led by Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi, began on Sunday when demonstrators, primarily from Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, initiated a “long march” from the northwest region toward the capital. Khan, who has been incarcerated for over a year, faces over 150 criminal charges, which his party claims are politically motivated.
The situation escalated on Tuesday night when thousands of Khan’s supporters broke through a barrier of shipping containers that had been blocking access to Islamabad. This led to a confrontation with security forces, further intensifying the violence. In response to the protests, authorities launched a large-scale operation, arresting hundreds of demonstrators and forcing Bibi and other leaders to flee.
The ongoing tensions reflect the deep political divides in Pakistan, as Khan remains a highly popular opposition figure despite his imprisonment. He was ousted from office in 2022 through a no-confidence vote in Parliament, and his supporters continue to rally for his release, viewing his arrest as politically motivated.
