Pakistani police shoot tear gas as thousands of Imran Khan supporters converge in the capital.

 Protesters shoot back teargas shells fired by riot police during a march to Islamabad on November 25, 2024, seeking the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from Hasan Abdal in Punjab province.

Pakistani police fired tear gas canisters at supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday, preventing them from accessing the capital, where they planned to organize a sit-in demanding his release, according to officials.

Tear gas was fired shortly after demonstrators arrived and gathered in Islamabad, having trekked 150 kilometers (93 miles) from the restive northwest. They defied a lockdown, prior tear gas, and mass arrests despite a citywide rally prohibition.

The development came a day after Khan's party leadership decided to continue the "long march" despite Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's three-day visit. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif greeted him at an airport in the city on Monday evening.

According to authorities, at least one police officer was murdered, while other cops and demonstrators were hurt during the fighting. The demonstrators appeared intent to penetrate Islamabad, where a lockdown that has been in effect for two days has hampered daily activity.

The administration was in talks with Khan's party to prevent further unrest, according to officials.


Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters after midnight that the government is willing to allow Khan supporters to demonstrate on the outskirts of Islamabad, but warned that if they entered the capital to protest, they will face severe consequences.

Khan, who has been in jail for more than a year and is facing over 150 criminal charges, remains popular. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), claims the cases are politically motivated.