ISLAMABAD (AP) — Thousands of people are in the heart of Pakistan’s capital to demand the release of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan. He has been behind bars since August 2023 on charges that he and his supporters say are politically motivated.

Forcing their way into Islamabad after pushing the security forces on backfoot in violent clashes that resulted in at least half a dozen deaths earlier in the day, thousands of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protestors have reached Islamabad's Zero Point 'D-Chowk' where they plan to hold an indefinite sit-in until party chief and former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is released from jail.

Pakistani protesters demanding the release of ex-prime minister Imran Khan on Tuesday killed four members of the nation's security forces, the government said, as the crowds defied police and closed in on the capital's centre.