Thousands of supporters of former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan held a rally in Islamabad on Sunday, with authorities attempting to block main roads leading into the capital, AFP journalists reported.

Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party organized the largest protest in Islamabad since the former cricketer and Ex-Pakistan PM was jailed last year on multiple charges, some still in court.

Pakistan Expert Speaks On Protests Held

Michael Kugelman, a Pakistan expert at the Wilson Center, said, “Though the rally’s large number and popularity does show PTI’s mobilization capacity remains strong, continuous efforts to suppress it is evident.”

On Sunday, protesters cleared away containers set by Pakistani authorities in an attempt to shut off major roads leading into Islamabad ahead of the protest demonstration.

PTI senator Humayun Mohmand told AFP, “They blocked the city with containers, but thousands are still here. They can’t stop the people’s motivation and emotions.”

Imran Khan Is In Jail Since 2023

Khan-who has been imprisoned since August 2023-along with his party is claiming that the charges against him are a maneuver to prevent his comeback into power. Using the military to his advantage, Khan had come to power in 2018 by crusading against the prevalent corruption in the country’s perennially dynastic politics.

He was ousted from office in 2022 after a falling-out with the military. It deepens frustration among many Pakistanis who want the military to stay out of politics in a country haunted by a history of military rule where no civilian prime minister has ever been able to complete a full term of office.

An initial arrest of Khan in May this year on corruption charges had spurred nationwide protests by his supporters who blamed the army, while the military undertook a huge crackdown on the PTI.