On 1st and 2nd December, supporters of cricketer turned former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan wanted to hold massive demonstrations in Islamabad and Rawalpindi amid concerns about his health while he is incarcerated. Khan’s family has stated that there has been no contact with Khan, fuelling rumours over his alleged death. Meanwhile, to quell the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) protest, the government prohibited gatherings and imposed Section 144.
The agitation was set to transpire infront of the Islamabad High Court and Adiala Jail, where Khan has been held. According to a 1st December order issued by the Deputy Commissioner’s office, Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema, Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Punjab Amendment) Act, 2024, would be in effect for from 1st to 3rd December, in Rawalpindi.
Section 144 prohibits all assemblies, gatherings, sit-ins, rallies, processions, demonstrations, jalsas, dharnas, protests and any similar gatherings of five or more individuals. It is also forbidden to carry firearms, spikes, loaded batons, ball bearings, petrol bombs, gulel (sling shoots), improvised explosives, or any other tool that might be used violently.
It is now illegal to display weapons (except from those carried by Law Enforcement Agencies), make offensive or hateful remarks and try to get rid of any restrictions put in place by the police to control traffic alongside pillion riding and the utilisation of loudspeakers.
The order stated, “The District Intelligence Committee (DIC) has reported specific intelligence suggesting that certain groups and elements are actively mobilising with intentions to disturb the law and order situation through large gatherings, protests, and disruptive assemblies. The forum further indicates that these elements may target soft locations and mobilise individuals with the potential to engage in violent actions near key installations, and other sensitive sites, thereby endangering the public peace and tranquility.”
Likewise, limitations had already been in place in Islamabad since 18th November and would last till 18th January 2026. The directive read that “all kinds of gatherings of five or more persons, processions/rallies and demonstrations at any public place within the Revenue Limits of District Islamabad, including the Red Zone.” It added, “(It is) necessary to control such types of illegal activities which present a threat to public peace, tranquillity and maintenance of law and order.”
PTI announces major protests
On 30th November, Sohail Afridi, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, declared that PTI would hold a significant protest outside the Islamabad High Court on 1st December and another outside Adiala Jail on the next day. He added that Khan had been confined in “complete isolation” since 4th November and no one is allowed to meet him.
He claimed that Khan is essentially in complete solitary confinement, and his sisters, senior party leaders, attorneys and even doctors are being prohibited from seeing him. He called this situation “extremely alarming.” Afridi even sat on a 16-hour protest outside Adiala Jail.
Leaders of the PTI have been requesting access to Khan and asked supporters to assemble in front of the jail following Afridi’s appeal. The chief minister stated that all lawmakers would agitate before the chief justice of the Islamabad High Court and added that he was not permitted to meet Khan despite court orders. He mentioned the legislators would then proceed to Adiala Jail to attempt to visit Khan and convey solidarity with his sisters.
No one has seen Khan since 4th November, according to PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari. Moreover, no explanation has been provided for the denial of a meeting. He is reportedly denied visitation and medical care. Khan’s family including his sons believe that authorities might be concealing “something irreversible” about his condition. Television networks have also been instructed not to use his name or image.
Khan was removed from power in 2022 after a parliamentary vote. He was imprisoned after being convicted in a series of cases after a year. He claimed that the action against him is “politically motivated” and his ouster from power was also rigged.
