Pakistani security forces have been accused of opening fire on supporters of Imran Khan, the jailed former prime minister, who stormed Islamabad this week to demand his release.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed on Wednesday that the authorities have reopened roads linking the capital with the rest of the country.

Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, who was leading the protest, and other demonstrators fled in vehicles when police pushed back against the rallygoers following clashes in which at least seven people were killed.