Thousands of supporters of Pakistan’s jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan broke through barricades around the capital Tuesday and marched into Islamabad, clashing with security forces and demanding his release.

Thousands of security forces poured into central Islamabad in an attempt to quell protests in support of Khan that have gripped the capital.

Soldiers were ordered to defend government buildings with gunfire if needed, as supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan demanded his release from prison.

Khan was accused of making public a classified cable sent to Islamabad by Pakistan's ambassador in Washington in 2022, while he still held office. He was acquitted in the case in June.

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Thousands of supporters loyal to jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan flooded into the capital Islamabad, defying barricades, tear gas and rubber bullets to call for his release and the dissolution of the government.

Topping the demands of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party is the release of all its leaders, including Khan, who has been jailed on a series of corruption charges since August 2023. They also seek the resignation of the current government over what they call rigged general elections this year.

Police in Pakistan clashed with thousands of Imran Khan supporters as they marched towards the capital Islamabad to demand his release, defying a lockdown and a ban on rallies. The former Pakistani prime minister has been in jail for over a year on more than 150 criminal charges.