The Aporia
The Aporia
On September 18, Section 144 of Pakistan's Criminal Procedure Code was imposed in Islamabad, effective immediately for two months. The order prohibits gatherings of five or more people and any protests towards the capital to prevent unrest. This move came as a response to opposition leader Imran Khan’s planned march to demand his release from jail, where he has been held since 2023 on corruption charges.
Leaders from Khan's party, PTI, had initially announced they would proceed with the nationwide demonstration starting September 27 but later decided to postpone it. On September 29, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi formally announced that PTI’s long march towards Islamabad would now commence on October 4 from Peshawar, instead of the original date.
The government has deployed tens of thousands of police forces and taken other security measures to prevent Khan's supporters from marching into Islamabad. Despite these efforts, PTI leaders argue that their protest is constitutional and peaceful. The postponement appears to be a strategic decision by the party to exhaust the government further or due to logistical challenges posed by road blockades and other preventive measures. Analysts suggest this could still present a significant challenge for Pakistan’s military-backed government, which is already facing criticism over its legitimacy and popularity. The PTI leaders continue to assert their commitment to upholding constitutional rights and demand justice for Imran Khan's release.
