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Hospitals in Islamabad have been instructed to prepare for potential mass casualties and humanitarian crises ahead of an upcoming protest by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on September 27, which aims to demand the release of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. These preparations include postponing elective surgeries and recalling staff from leave. Additionally, authorities have detained eight members of Khan’s family, including his three sisters, under Pakistan’s Maintenance of Public Order law, with some released after several hours but others remaining in custody for up to 30 days.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-22,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On September 27, Pakistan's opposition party PTI plans a nationwide protest march towards Islamabad demanding the release of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan and mobilizing people for constitutional supremacy. The government, led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, warns that protests could cause a daily loss of Rs120 billion (approximately $645 million) due to disruptions in business activities and supply chains. To prevent the march from reaching Islamabad, police have set up over 2,000 containers at key points around the city, including Attock Bridge, an entry point from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern parts of Pakistan.
The government has also taken stringent measures to prepare for potential unrest. Hospitals in Islamabad have been ordered to clear beds and postpone elective surgeries in anticipation of a possible "humanitarian crisis" or "mass casualty incident." Meanwhile, the Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi warned PTI against proceeding with the protest, urging them not to engage in what he termed as "drama."
In further security measures, Islamabad police announced that the Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1) would be closed from 11 PM on September 23 to deter protesters. The closure is part of a broader strategy involving more than 52,000 security personnel deployed across Islamabad and Attock district to prevent any movement towards the city. Despite these precautions, PTI remains committed to its protest plans, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi stating that they will "forcefully exercise" their right to peaceful protest on September 27. The situation underscores a tense standoff between the government and opposition as both sides prepare for potential conflict.
Written for “Pakistan Protests Imran Khan's Detention” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 11 other(s) covering the same event.
Hospitals in Islamabad have allegedly been ordered to prepare for a possible “humanitarian crisis” and “mass casualty incident” ahead of a planned September 27 protest by jailed former
Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
uncertain
Hospitals → order → party
The instructions to Islamabad hospitals called for all scheduled elective surgeries to be postponed indefinitely and surgical departments to be prepared for a possible surge in patients, according to documents reviewed by Drop Site.
Medical and support staff were ordered to remain available, with all forms of leave suspended. Hospitals were also told to recall employees who were already on leave.
uncertain
who → call → leave
The measures were issued ahead of PTI’s planned September 27 march, which the party says is intended to demand Khan’s release.
asserted
party → issue → release
The preparations have already affected patients.
asserted
preparations → affect → patients
People familiar with the situation told Drop Site that patients scheduled for surgery on Monday were informed that their procedures would be postponed.
asserted
procedures → tell → Monday
The government has not publicly said that the hospital preparations are specifically linked to a crackdown on PTI protesters.
asserted
preparations → say → protesters
The documents, however, explicitly refer to preparations for a potential “humanitarian crisis” and “mass casualty incident”.
asserted
documents → refer → crisis
Imran Khan's family detained
The hospital preparations also came as authorities detained Khan’s three sisters – Aleema Khan, Noreen Niazi and Dr Uzma Khan – along with other members of his family, while several PTI leaders and workers were also arrested ahead of the planned march on Islamabad.
asserted
leaders → detain → Islamabad
Eight members of Khan’s family were reportedly detained within 24 hours.
uncertain
members → detain → hours
The children were later released after several hours, according to Aleema Khan’s son Shershah Khan, while Khan’s sisters remained in custody.
uncertain
sisters → release → custody
Aleema Khan was detained under Section 3 of Pakistan’s Maintenance of Public Order law, with a formal order issued by Lahore’s deputy commissioner authorising her detention for 30 days, according to documents obtained by Drop Site.
uncertain
order → detain → Site
Similar detention orders circulated for Noreen Niazi and Uzma Khan.
asserted
orders → circulate → Niazi
The arrests came after authorities stepped up action against PTI members ahead of the September 27 mobilisation.
asserted
authorities → come → mobilisation
PTI has alleged that party offices were raided and elected representatives and workers were detained across the country.
asserted
representatives → allege → country
The arrests have come amid continuing concerns from Khan’s family and supporters over his health and prison conditions.
asserted
arrests → come → health
Khan’s primary healthcare provider, Dr Faisal Sultan, has reportedly not been allowed to visit him for several weeks.
uncertain
provider → allow → weeks
Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 after his government was removed from office following a no-confidence vote.
asserted
government → imprison → vote
PTI has continued to demand his release.
asserted
PTI → continue → release
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