The Imran Khan imprisonment anniversary triggered nationwide protests on Wednesday as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters gathered in several cities to mark three years since the former prime minister was jailed. Party leaders also announced plans for a major march on Islamabad if their demands regarding Khan’s treatment and legal proceedings are not addressed.

Speaking at a public rally in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said PTI would march on the federal capital on September 27 unless restrictions imposed on Imran Khan were removed. He said the party was demanding unrestricted meetings with the jailed leader, access to treatment from his personal physician, and faster hearings of the court cases against him.

Afridi described the demands as constitutional and said PTI supporters had demonstrated across Pakistan to mark the completion of Khan’s third year in prison. He claimed the former prime minister remained behind bars despite having opportunities to secure his release, saying Khan continued to face imprisonment for the country’s future.

More than 100 words into the developments, Imran Khan remained the central issue of PTI’s nationwide campaign. Afridi also criticized recent constitutional amendments, alleging they had weakened the judiciary and reduced public confidence in the legal system. He further accused authorities of using force, including tear gas and chemical-laced water, during previous PTI demonstrations.

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PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan addressed supporters in Peshawar, calling Khan’s imprisonment unjust and describing the gathering as the party’s tenth major public event since the 2024 general elections. He said PTI would continue its political campaign until Khan was released.

In Quetta, protests took place under the leadership of Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP) chief and Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai. A rally started from the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party’s central secretariat before concluding at Bacha Khan Chowk, where political leaders called for the release of Imran Khan and other political detainees. Speakers also alleged irregularities in the February 8, 2024 general elections.

Lahore witnessed one of the largest demonstrations as members of the Insaf Lawyers Forum, accompanied by senior PTI leaders Salman Akram Raja, Ali Aijaz Buttar, Rehan Dar and Shaukat Basra, held a protest outside Aiwan-e-Adl. Lawyers and party workers demanded Khan’s immediate release and urged authorities to withdraw what they described as politically motivated cases against the former premier.

In Karachi, PTI supporters gathered near the Karachi Press Club, where road closures caused traffic congestion. Police detained several party workers and leaders while using tear gas and batons to disperse protesters before reopening the affected routes later in the day.

According to PTI, demonstrations also took place in Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Nawabshah, Umerkot, Mithi and several other cities across Sindh. Protesters repeated calls for Khan’s release and pledged to continue nationwide demonstrations until the party’s demands were fulfilled.