On 1st and 2nd December, supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan prepared to hold large demonstrations in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Their concern arose from ongoing uncertainty over Khan’s health while he is held in jail. His family has said that there has been no contact with him, and this silence has intensified rumours about his alleged custodial death. In response, the government acted early and imposed Section 144 to restrict public gatherings and prevent any potential unrest.

The demonstrations were planned outside the Islamabad High Court and Adiala Jail, where Khan is currently imprisoned. According to an order issued on 1st December by the Deputy Commissioner’s office, led by Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema, Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Punjab Amendment) Act, 2024 would remain in place from 1st to 3rd December in Rawalpindi.

The order made it clear that Section 144 bans all gatherings of five or more individuals, whether these are protests, sit-ins, jalsas, dharnas, rallies, processions, or similar assemblies. It also prevents people from carrying firearms or any item considered dangerous, including loaded batons, spikes, ball bearings, petrol bombs, sling shots, improvised explosives, or other objects that might be used violently. Displaying weapons is prohibited unless they are carried by law enforcement agencies. The restrictions further ban pillion riding, the use of loudspeakers, offensive or hateful speech, and attempts to break or remove traffic-control measures put in place by the police.

The order explained the reason behind this strong action, stating: “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.”

Restrictions were already active in Islamabad before this announcement. Since 18th November, the capital had been under limitations that will stay in effect until 18th January 2026. This directive prohibited all gatherings of five or more persons, as well as rallies, processions, and demonstrations at any public place in the district, including the highly sensitive Red Zone. The authorities stressed that these measures were essential to prevent activities that could threaten public peace, stability, and law and order.

PTI announces major protests

On 30th November, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister, Sohail Afridi, declared that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would hold a major protest outside the Islamabad High Court on 1st December, followed by another demonstration outside Adiala Jail the next day. He said that since 4th November, Khan had been kept in “complete isolation” and that no one had been allowed to meet him. According to Afridi, Khan’s sisters, senior party leaders, lawyers, and even doctors had been denied access, a situation he called “extremely alarming.”

Afridi himself staged a 16-hour protest outside Adiala Jail to show his frustration and demand clarity. PTI leaders urged supporters to gather outside the jail as well, following Afridi’s announcement. Afridi explained that all PTI lawmakers planned to protest in front of the chief justice of the Islamabad High Court, as he had not been allowed to meet Khan despite clear court orders. He added that after their attempt at the court, party legislators would then move to Adiala Jail to try again to visit Khan and express solidarity with his sisters.

According to PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari, no one had seen Khan since 4th November, and authorities provided no explanation for their refusal to permit meetings. The party believes Khan has been denied visitation and medical treatment. His family, including his sons, fear that the authorities might be hiding “something irreversible” regarding his condition. There are also reports that television networks have been instructed not to use his name or show his image.

Imran Khan was ousted from power in 2022 after a parliamentary vote and was jailed the following year after being convicted in several cases. Khan maintains that the cases against him are “politically motivated”, and he has said that his removal from office was unfairly arranged.