Sulaiman Khan, the eldest son of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has strongly criticized the "unprecedented crackdown" on his father's relatives and party workers surrounding the opposition's scheduled grand rally and long march in Pakistan.

Labeling the country's ruling coalition as "authoritarian and fascist," he urged the Western world to raise its voice against the regime.

Speaking to *The Independent* from London, 29-year-old Sulaiman Khan said, "Dragging female family members away in the middle of the night without any reason is utterly shameful. It is clear evidence of a fascist regime operating in Pakistan."

Police recently detained several of Imran Khan's relatives—including his three sisters, Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan, and Noreen Niazi—along with hundreds of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and activists, ostensibly to prevent Sunday's long march.

They were arrested under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Act in Punjab.

Meanwhile, Sulaiman described the treatment Imran Khan has received in prison as "inhumane and illegal."

On the social media platform X, Imran Khan's other son, Qasim Khan, wrote, "A nation of 250 million people cannot be silenced by arresting family members or threatening violence. No regime is more powerful than the people."

Babu Ram Pant, Deputy Regional Director for South Asia at Amnesty International, stated that the government's crackdown ahead of the peaceful rally planned for September 27 is unlawful.

He demanded the immediate release of all those arrested solely due to their political affiliation or family ties.

Pakistan's Ministry of Interior has established an unprecedented security cordon to ensure the protest march scheduled for Sunday cannot enter the capital. Access roads along all major highways leading to Islamabad have been blocked using at least 2,000 shipping containers. Simultaneously, 22,000 additional police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in the capital, 30,000 in Attock district, and another 9,000 in neighboring Rawalpindi.

Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi warned PTI leaders, stating, "The city will be brought to a standstill for a few days. Nothing will be achieved through such theatrics. Choose an alternative path instead of putting yourselves and party workers in danger."

Meanwhile, a report by *Dropsite News* claims that central health authorities have instructed hospitals in Islamabad to remain prepared to handle potential "mass casualty events."

Despite the government's hardline stance, the PTI has announced it will not back down from the long march.

Senior party leader Zulfikar Ali Bukhari said, "We are taking to the field with 100 percent preparation. The movement will not be limited to just one day; it could be prolonged."

*The Independent* reported that 73-year-old Imran Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023. He has been sentenced to 14 and 17 years in prison, respectively, in two separate cases involving corruption and state gifts.

His relatives claim that his health has deteriorated severely during his long imprisonment, with particular concern regarding a serious issue affecting his right eye.

However, the Pakistan government has consistently denied allegations of mistreatment against Imran Khan in prison.

Although the Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered Imran Khan's transfer from prison to a private hospital last August, he was returned to prison within just a few hours.

PTI leaders state that this long march will intensify the nationwide movement against the contempt of court and the mistreatment inflicted upon the party's founder, Imran Khan.