2023 Pakistani protests

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2023 Pakistani unrest
Part of 2022–2024 Pakistan political unrest and Arrest of Imran Khan
Date	First phase: 14 March – 1 May 2023 (1 month, 2 weeks and 3 days) Second phase: 28 May – 31 May 2023[1] (3 days)
Location	Pakistan
Caused by	Aftermath of the Arrest of Imran Khan and reactions to the 2023 Imran Khan arrest attempts
Goals	Demand for the release of Imran Khan and removal of army chief Asim Munir
Methods	Demonstrations Protest Strikes Assault Riots Hashtag activism Online activism Vandalism Arson Stone pelting Hijackings Graffiti Looting Robbery Murder
Resulted in	Protest concluded (Imran Khan's release from imprisonment)
Parties
PTI and party workers Government of Pakistan Supported By: Pakistan Police  Pakistan Army (claimed by PTI)[2] Inter-Services Intelligence (claimed by PTI) Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)
Lead figures
Imran Khan Shehbaz Sharif Rana Sanaullah General Asim Munir (claimed by Imran Khan)[2] Major General Faisal Naseer (claimed by Imran Khan)
Casualties and losses
8+ protestors killed,[3] many senior leaders arrested,[4][5] 5,000+ protestors arrested[5] 190+ policemen injured,[6][7] several military installations and cantonments vandalized, several public properties and infrastructure were destroyed or damaged, Corps Commander House, Lahore, burned down, Radio Pakistan Building, Peshawar, burned down, 72+ vehicles burnt

This article is part of a series about Imran Khan
Personal Early life Electoral history Family Awards and honours Pakistan: A Personal History Indus Journey: A Personal View of Pakistan Pets Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital Namal College Cricket career 1992 Cricket World Cup final International cricket five-wicket hauls 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan Premiership Government Oath of office First 100 days International trips Ehsaas Programme Kamyab Jawan Program Plant for Pakistan Raast Roshan Digital Account Naya Pakistan Housing & Development Authority Laws Pakistan Army Act, 2020 Pakistan Navy Act, 2020 Pakistan Airforce Act, 2020 COVID-19 pandemic No-confidence motion Constitutional crisis Lettergate Post-premiership Legal cases Al-Qadir Trust case Toshakhana reference cases Iddat case Protests 2022–2023 Pakistan political unrest 2022 Azadi March I 2022 Azadi March II 2023 Pakistani protests May 9 riots Assassination attempt Arrest Elections 1997 2002 2013 2018 Politics Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf 2014 Tsunami March Inqilab March Ihtisab March 2024 Islamabad protests
v t e

On March 14, 2023, a wave of protests erupted after the Punjab Police attempted to arrest the former prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan,^[8] nearly one year after his removal from office. The climax of a series of events — including, but not limited to, Khan being charged under anti-terror laws after accusing government officials of unlawfully torturing an aide, his removal from office, and an attempt on his life five months prior — the attempted arrest led to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party workers and supporters clashing with police outside Khan's residence in Lahore, despite the arrest being called off. The clashes, which persisted for several days, led to the arrests of party workers, supporters being suppressed with tear gas and water cannons, as well as 54 police officers being "seriously injured".^[9]

Little over seven weeks later, on May 9, 2023, Khan was arrested — immediately triggering widespread, violent unrest across Pakistan, with tens of thousands of Khan's supporters participating in riots, demonstrations, vandalism, and clashes with police officers and soldiers. With protesters alleging that Khan's arrest was a response to his anti-military stance, various military installations were targeted and attacked throughout the country. Protesters in Lahore targeted the Corps Commander House, which ultimately sustained heavy damage. The Radio Pakistan premises in Peshawar were also targeted, with protesters setting fire to the main building and destroying dozens of historical audio recordings.^[10][11]

On May 10, Section 144 was imposed across the country and military deployment was ordered in an attempt to quell the rising death toll. Internet access was blocked indefinitely,^[12][13] with nearly 125 million people being affected by the government's decision to suspend mobile broadband and block access to social media apps.^[14] Riots subsided by May 12, with Khan being released on bail following a Supreme Court ruling that deemed his arrest unlawful.

Presently, diminished purchasing power has led to widespread protests in cities where citizens have resorted to burning electricity bills and blocking roads.^[15]