Thousands of supporters of Imran Khan gather in the capital of Pakistan.

Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, is under lockdown for the second day as hundreds of demonstrators gather to demand the release of former prime minister Imran Khan from prison. Additionally, his followers are demanding that the government reverse the election results they think were manipulated. Despite being imprisoned for over a year on a number of crimes, the former prime minister is still very popular, and his fans have been demonstrating for months.Bushra Bibi, his spouse, assured supporters Monday that the march would go on until her husband was released.

Khan’s “final call” to followers, urging them to remain in the capital until their demands are realized, prompted the most recent gathering. Conflicts have arisen between his followers and law enforcement. The protest has been outlawed by the authorities, who have also blocked some internet services and blocked streets with shipping containers. Fears of violence have caused schools and institutions to close. Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party members claim that the police have frequently used tear gas on them. Police said that demonstrators have thrown stones at their policemen, injuring several. The BBC was informed by police that 14 officers had been hurt and 139 individuals had been arrested.

Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi is one of the leaders of the main convoy.

“Until Khan comes to us, we will not end this march,” she told crowds as the rally neared the capital earlier on Monday. “I will stand till my last breath and you have to support me. This is not just about my husband but about this country and its leader,” she said.

Bushra Bibi was freed on bail in late October after being sentenced in January along with Khan. Even though Khan has been incarcerated for over a year, he continues to dominate opposition politics in Pakistan. In 2022, parliament voted him out of office due to rumors that he had a falling out with the nation’s influential military. He refutes every accusation made against him, including those of corruption, inciting violence, and unlawfully marrying Bushra Bibi.

His party was not allowed to run in the general election in February. Unexpectedly, PTI-backed independent candidates gained the most seats, but not enough to form a government. Khan charged that the PML-N and PPP, the two parties currently in power, had rigged the election. Allegations of vote rigging are denied by the authorities.