Imran Khans Party Plans Major Protest Amid Political Turmoil in Pakistan

Islamabad, September 21 (Daily Kiran) : Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is set to hold a significant protest on September 27, which may expose the deep-rooted political vulnerabilities in the country. The balance of power between elected governments and the military establishment remains a contentious issue, as highlighted in recent reports.

The PTI is rallying for the release of its founder and imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, along with a call to uphold constitutional order. The party claims the protest will reveal the government’s fears, evident from the recent detention of Khan’s sisters for 30 days.

Social policy expert Krisoula Asteriadou noted in an article for Pressenza International News Agency that nearly five decades after the 1977 military coup, Pakistan still grapples with the fundamental question of who should hold ultimate political power. Should it rest with democratically elected institutions or the military, which has historically extended its influence beyond constitutional boundaries?

Khan’s political saga brings this contradiction back to the forefront of Pakistani politics. Despite his criticisms of past inconsistencies, analysts and opponents had previously suggested that Khan’s rise to power in 2018 was bolstered by military support, a claim he and the PTI have denied. His government faced scrutiny for pressuring journalists, employing cybercrime laws, and allegedly intimidating dissenting voices.

Relations between Khan and the military leadership soured over time, yet this does not erase the historical context of his political ascent. It underscores the ongoing struggle between civilian and military elites, whose interests have often aligned, only to clash when the balance of power shifts.

The report emphasizes that none of these factors justify violations of Khan’s rights or the legitimacy of his prolonged detention. Viewing the current crisis solely as a conflict between a democratic leader and a military general oversimplifies the complexities involved.

Under the tenure of current army chief Asim Munir, the issue has gained renewed significance. Recent years have seen several changes that have strengthened the military’s role, including Munir’s promotion to field marshal in May 2025, making him the second military officer in Pakistan’s history to hold this rank after Ayub Khan. In November 2025, the government further altered military command structures through the 27th constitutional amendment, establishing the Chief of Defense Forces position, which Munir now holds alongside his army chief duties.

Ahead of the PTI’s protest, reports indicate that Khan’s sisters, Uzma Khan, Norin Niazi, and Aleema Khan, have been detained. According to the Pakistani newspaper Dawn, the Deputy Commissioner of Lahore ordered their 30-day detention, citing public safety and law and order concerns under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960.

On September 13, PTI leaders announced that the upcoming protest and long march would not only demand Khan’s release but also advocate for the restoration of democracy, constitutional supremacy, and the rule of law.

In a press conference, PTI leaders, including Haris Tauro, Shahid Anwar, and Riazur Rahman, addressed Pakistan’s severe political and economic crises. They claimed that some members of the ruling elite have acknowledged the current regime’s failures and the significant challenges facing the nation.

PTI has positioned Khan as a symbol of national unity, asserting his capability to lead Pakistan out of the current crisis while alleging that the country’s constitutional and legal institutions have weakened, undermining the electoral process.