The Pakistani police used tear gas to disperse a rally organized by supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Karachi on Sunday. The rally was held less than two weeks before the national parliamentary election, from which Khan has been barred from running due to a criminal conviction. Between 20 and 30 people were arrested at the rally, including a dozen PTI workers who were charged with attacking officers and blocking the road. Khan, who remains a potent political force with a significant grassroots following, claims that the legal cases against him are part of a plot to sideline him ahead of the vote. The rally was organized without obtaining permission from the authorities and resulted in the road being blocked. The police attempted to negotiate with the organizers but were attacked, resulting in injuries to five police officials. The police operation is still ongoing. PTI worker Waheedullah Shah stated that Khan had called for rallies across the country and that the event in Karachi was peaceful, but the police dispersed the rally and arrested PTI workers. In May 2023, violent demonstrations occurred after Khan’s arrest, and since then, the authorities have cracked down on his supporters and party members. Pakistan’s independent human rights commission has expressed concerns about the upcoming parliamentary election, citing pre-poll rigging and the rejection of Khan’s candidacy as issues that could compromise its fairness and freedom.