At least four killed as ex-Pakistan PM Khan’s supporters enter Islamabad

Thousands clash with police as they force their way into capital to demand jailed ex-prime minister’s release.

Several members of Pakistan’s security forces are reported to have been killed as supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan forced their way into the capital, Islamabad.

Four security service personnel were killed, the government said on Tuesday, as thousands defied a police lockdown, overcoming blockades and tear gas to enter the city. Supporters of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have been demanding the ex-PM’s release ahead of a court hearing on terrorism charges.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office said in a statement that four members of the security services were killed when they were rammed by a vehicle.

As protesters battled security forces and ignored a government threat to respond with gunfire, Sharif condemned the violence, saying, “It is not a peaceful protest. It is extremism.”

Information minister Attaullah Tarar added that the protesters seemed to want to cause chaos, but authorities would not allow that, explaining: “No one will be spared.”

PTI spokesman Zulfikar Bukhari rejected the government claim that the security forces were killed after being rammed by a vehicle.

“In fact, there are videos viral on social media of protesters protecting and hugging rangers. This is a narrative the government is trying to create so they have the licence to kill,” he said.

Bukhari said supporters would continue their sit-in in front of parliament until their demands were met, including releasing Khan.

The human rights organisation Amnesty International also said on X that “law enforcement officials have used unlawful and excessive force” on the protesters.

It added there had been