Abu Bakar Khan and Noor Ul Huda are JURIST staff correspondents in Pakistan and recent graduates of Punjab University Law College. They filed this dispatch from Lahore.

On November 13, Imran Khan, the incarcerated ex-Prime Minister of Pakistan and the party leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), issued a “final call” for nationwide protests scheduled for November 24. The central demands were the restoration of PTI’s electoral mandate which was unjustly taken away after the general elections held on February 8, and the reversal of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, which PTI claims has consolidated the establishment’s control over the country’s political landscape.

As part of its broader strategy to curb PTI’s influence, Pakistan’s federal government had already passed the “Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024” in September. Under this law, the Islamabad High Court ruled that PTI’s new call for protest was unlawful because the party did not obtain the required permission. Despite this, PTI supporters began their journey toward Islamabad on Sunday, determined to press ahead with the protests.

By Tuesday morning, PTI protesters from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), where PTI holds the government, had entered Pakistan’s capital. They were met with intense use of tear gas, shelling, and extensive roadblocks. Key roads, motorways and main access points to Islamabad were sealed with containers, while internet services across the country, including in Islamabad, were severely disrupted. The government’s actions resulted in widespread shutdowns and lockdowns, with not only roads in Islamabad but also major exit routes from cities like Lahore being blocked. The disruption left many parts of the country in a state of turmoil.

Despite the government’s efforts to stifle the protests, PTI’s convoy continued to advance and reached D-Chowk, the central zone of Islamabad. The situation grew tense as clashes between the protesters and police escalated, with the government deploying Rangers and military troops around D-Chowk and other key places in the city. Riot police used tear gas to disperse the crowds, while the protesters fought back, chanting slogans and defying the barricades. In the midst of these confrontations, police confirmed that at least one police officer was killed, and dozens of others, including both security personnel and protesters, were injured in the violent clashes.

PTI leaders, including Bushra Bibi, Imran Khan’s wife, and Ali Amin, Chief Minister of KPK, led the protest. Many believe that Bushra Bibi’s release from jail after a previous protest is a sign of growing strength in PTI’s position. The roadblocks and internet shutdowns seemed to signal the government’s growing discomfort with the movement. Earlier in the day, police tried to block the G-10 signal on Sirinagar Highway to stop the protesters, but after facing resistance, they were forced to allow them to pass. Despite the cold nights in Islamabad, PTI protesters continued to remain in place.  Bushra Bibi addressed the crowds, stating, “Our plan will not change until Imran Khan comes out and tells us what to do. No matter the pressure, we will not listen to anything until Khan addresses us directly.” She further urged, “If Khan speaks from inside, don’t listen to him. Wait for him to come outside.”

The government’s heavy-handed response, including the widespread use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and the deployment of military personnel, fueled further unrest. Around 1500 PTI leaders and workers were arrested, and criminal cases were filed against numerous members of the party. The Crime Intelligence Agency’s building in Islamabad was converted into a makeshift detention center to house those arrested during the protests. The continued arrests, combined with the disruption of internet services and the government’s firm stance on no negotiations, have left many questioning the government’s approach to resolving the situation peacefully.

Imran Khan, still in jail, has urged his followers on X to “fight till the end” and continue protests until their demands are met. The Interior Minister, however, has made it clear that Pakistan’s government is unwilling to engage in negotiations with the protesters. “Now that they have seen the situation, there will be no talks. The government has made a clear decision that we will not negotiate with those on the sit-in,” he stated. He concluded by daring the PTI protesters to advance, saying, “Come forward, we are ready. Anyone who tries to come here will face a strong response.”

As the situation develops, Islamabad remains under lockdown, with PTI protesters showing no signs of backing down. Whether the protests will lead to a resolution or further escalation remains to be seen, but the current standoff highlights the increasing tensions between the government and PTI in Pakistan.