Published : 25 Sep 2026, 03:57 PM
Updated : 25 Sep 2026, 03:57 PM
The eldest son of jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan has urged Western governments to speak out against the country’s “tyrants”, as authorities intensify a crackdown ahead of a major opposition march on Islamabad.
Suleiman Khan, 29, told British newspaper The Independent that the detention of members of his family, including women, was intended to intimidate them ahead of Sunday’s planned protest.
“The abduction of our family members, including women and children, in the middle of the night, with no reasons given was absolutely disgraceful, and further evidence that this is a fascist regime,” he said.
Suleiman also described his father’s treatment in prison as “appalling and illegal”.
"The only thing we can do at the moment is continue to raise awareness … and speak to politicians about what is going on not only with the appalling and illegal way in which our father is being treated, but his family, party, and any dissenting members of the public”.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), founded by Imran Khan, has called a march on Islamabad for Sept 27 to demand his release and protest the erosion of democracy and rule of law. Authorities have detained Khan’s three sisters — Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi — along with other relatives and party activists ahead of the protest.
Amnesty International said the detentions represented a “flagrant violation” of rights to liberty, freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, and called for those held because of family ties, political affiliation or plans to protest to be released.
Khan’s younger son Kasim also criticised the arrests on X, writing: “You can arrest families and threaten people with violence. But you cannot imprison 250 million Pakistanis or crush the will of a generation. No regime is more powerful than its people. The world must watch as the people of Pakistan come together to demonstrate their plea for justice, even in the face of threats of violence.”
The government, however, says the security measures are necessary to maintain public order.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said no group will be allowed to enter Islamabad on Sept 27 and that authorities will stop the march “in every possible way”.
He has also urged PTI supporters to protest in their own areas rather than march on the capital, according to Pakistani newspaper Dawn.
Security preparations have intensified across Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Attock.
More than 2,000 shipping containers have been positioned at key points in Islamabad and Attock, while authorities have prepared to seal major roads and entry routes. Islamabad police have also sought thousands of additional personnel and anti-riot equipment.
Punjab Police sources told Dawn that around 30,000 personnel were being deployed in Attock, a key entry point from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while Rawalpindi has also stepped up security.
Hospitals in Islamabad have meanwhile been told to prepare for a possible “mass casualty incident” and “humanitarian crisis”, according to documents reviewed by investigative news outlet Drop Site News. The instructions included postponing elective surgeries, clearing bed space and recalling staff from leave.
Despite the preparations, PTI says the march will go ahead.
Senior party figure Zulfi Bukhari told The Independent that the protest could continue beyond a single day.
Imran Khan, 73, has been imprisoned since August 2023 and is serving a 14-year sentence in a corruption case and a separate 17-year sentence in a case involving state gifts.
His family and party say his health has deteriorated during his imprisonment, particularly because of problems with his right eye. The Pakistani government has denied allegations that he has been mistreated in custody.
Pakistan’s Supreme Court last month ordered that Khan be moved to Shifa International Hospital for examination and treatment by a multidisciplinary medical board, while also allowing greater family access. He was later returned to prison after a brief hospital visit.
PTI leaders say the Sept 27 march is intended to build pressure for Khan’s release and protest what they describe as violations of constitutional rights. The government says it will not allow demonstrators to disrupt life in the capital or occupy public roads and government buildings.
