A protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, March 18, 2023.
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D-Chowk is named for its D-shaped design formed by Constitution Avenue's curve around parliament
First major protest occurred in 1980 when Shia community successfully challenged Zakat law
PTI holds record for longest protest with 126-day sit-in during 2014
D-Chowk, located in Islamabad, Pakistan's federal capital, has become a symbolic venue for protests and sit-ins. While the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) staged an unforgettable sit-in in 2014, numerous other political and religious parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), have also chosen the site to voice their dissent.
In 2016, D-Chowk was incorporated into the red zone and declared off-limits for protests due to its strategic location at the intersection of Constitution Avenue and Jinnah Avenue.
A security gate has been installed at its entrance, and during demonstrations, authorities seal off access points with shipping containers.
Since then, all protests have been restricted to Express Chowk, situated at the end of Jinnah Avenue, as access to D-Chowk remains strictly prohibited.
Formally known as Democracy Chowk, D-Chowk derives its popular nickname from its distinctive D-shaped design. This shape is formed by Constitution Avenue as it curves around Parliament House, creating a semicircular path that resembles the letter 'D'.
50 years of D-Chowk drama
Long marches and sit-ins have been a recurring feature of Islamabad's political landscape.
The first significant protest in the capital occurred on July 4-5, 1980, when the Shia community demonstrated against President Zia-ul-Haq's implementation of the Zakat and Ushr Ordinance.
Led by Mufti Jafar Hussain, the protesters ultimately occupied the Secretariat building, compelling the government to accept their demands and exempt the Shia community from the ordinance.
Mufti Jafar Hussain leads a protest in Islamabad, July 5, 1980.Courtesy Allama Mufti Jafar Hssain / Facebook
During Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's tenure, opposition parties led by Nawaz Sharif marched into Islamabad's Red Zone on August 17, 1989, marking President Zia-ul-Haq's first death anniversary.
Though the government initially sealed off the Red Zone—an unprecedented security measure at the time— Interior Minister Aitzaz Ahsan later negotiated with the protesters, allowing them to deliver speeches before peacefully dispersing.
Years later, on November 16, 1992, Benazir Bhutto, now in opposition, led a long march to protest alleged rigging in the 1990 general elections.
The movement's impact prompted President Ghulam Ishaq Khan to exercise his constitutional powers to dissolve the assemblies, effectively ending Nawaz Sharif's first government.
However, the Supreme Court intervened on May 26, 1993, issuing an order that restored the dissolved assemblies.
Former Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto (L) and Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi (R), former caretaker prime minister and member of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), cover their faces as police use teargas against demonstrators attempting to join her protest march to Islamabad, 19 November, 1992. AFP
On July 16, 1993, Benazir Bhutto led another march towards Islamabad, prompting authorities to completely seal off the Red Zone.
The political crisis culminated in Army Chief General Waheed Kakar's intervention, resulting in the resignations of both President Ghulam Ishaq Khan and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
In March 2007, the lawyers' movement gained momentum following President Pervez Musharraf's dismissal of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, triggering nationwide protests.
Pakistani lawyers chant anti-Musharraf slogans as they surround and stand on the vehicle of suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry (front seat in the car) as he arrives at the Supreme Court in Islamabad, 03 May 2007. AFP
In response to this growing unrest, Musharraf imposed a state of emergency in November 2007 and pressured judges to retake their oaths of office.
Many members of the judiciary, however, refused to comply with this demand.
Charter of democracy era
During the PPP government's tenure, former Premier Nawaz Sharif endorsed the lawyers' protest movement and announced a long march to support their cause.
In response, then-Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani restored Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and other deposed judges to their positions.
Former Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif (C) gestures as he arrives to meet sacked chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry at his residence in Islamabad, 6 December 2007. AFP
Between October 2013 and March 2014, families of missing persons from Balochistan undertook a long march from Quetta to Karachi, and then from Karachi to Islamabad.
The first phase of the march began from Quetta on October 27, 2013, and its participants reached Karachi on November 22 where they set up a protest camp.
In the second phase, protestors started their journey from Karachi to Islamabad on December 14, and after a 74-day journey, they reached Rawalpindi, from where they proceeded to the capital, culminating in a sit-in outside the National Press Club.
Led by Mama Qadir, the protest movement successfully secured assurances from the government regarding their demands.
Pakistani Baloch activists arrange pictures of missing persons at the start of a rally at the conclusion of a 2,000 km march led by Mama Qadir (2L), in Islamabad on March 1, 2014.
In January 2013, Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri led a long march from Lahore to Islamabad.
The procession arrived in the capital on January 14 and established a four-day sit-in along Jinnah Avenue. The protest concluded after successful negotiations between the government and PAT representatives, resulting in a mutual agreement.
In 2014, during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's PML-N government, PTI staged what would become the longest protest in Pakistan's history—a 126-day sit-in.
The demonstrators demanded Prime Minister Sharif's resignation and called for an audit of the 2013 general elections.
PAT later joined the protest, turning it into a joint demonstration that continued for two months. The joint protest began at Kashmir Highway on August 15.
Tahir-ul Qadri, a Pakistani religious leader, embraces Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan, exchanging Eid greetings after Eid prayers at D-chowk, Islamabad.Shaykh ul Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri / Facebook
On August 19, the demonstrators advanced into the Red Zone, establishing their presence at D-Chowk.
The protest finally concluded in December 2014, when PTI terminated its sit-in following the tragic Army Public School (APS) attack.
Mumtaz Qadri's supporters
In March 2016, 10,000 supporters of Mumtaz Qadri marched into Islamabad’s Red Zone to mark the Chehlum of their leader who was hanged to death over the killing of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer.
In a video that went viral at the time, religious protesters are seen hurling shoes at a military helicopter flying overhead during a demonstration in Islamabad, Pakistan, March 2016. Courtesy Voice.pk / Dailymotion
Protesters torched property, including a metro station and cars, and staged a sit-in outside the parliament, demanding the imposition of Sharia law.
Authorities closed major routes and suspended cellular services. The Pakistan Armed Forces were eventually called in to disperse the demonstrators.
Bilawal's march to challenge PTI
In early 2022, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari initiated a protest march to Islamabad to challenge the PTI government.
Departing from Karachi on February 28, the procession traversed the country for 10 days before reaching D-Chowk in Islamabad.
The march concluded on the night of March 7-8 with a significant announcement: the opposition's decision to file a no-confidence motion against then-Prime Minister Imran Khan in parliament.
On March 8, 2022, opposition parties formally submitted a requisition to the National Assembly Secretariat, accompanied by a no-confidence motion against Khan.
The motion succeeded on April 10, 2022, resulting in Khan's removal from the office of prime minister.
March after march
On May 25, Khan mobilized his supporters to march toward D-Chowk.
Despite the government's extensive efforts to prevent the demonstration, protesters managed to advance to Jinnah Avenue, where Khan ultimately announced the conclusion of the protest.
Most recently, the PTI organized demonstrations at D-Chowk on October 4 and 15, but failed to secure government approval for their demands.
The party has now announced another planned protest at D-Chowk, Islamabad, scheduled for November 24, 2024.
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