Security was tightened across the Pakistani capital on Sunday ahead of a protest by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s supporters demanding his release.
The highway leading to Islamabad, through which Khan’s supporters, led by members of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, are expected to approach the city and gather near Parliament, was blocked. Is.
Most of the city’s major roads have also been blocked by the government with shipping containers and large contingents of police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in riot gear, while mobile phone services have been suspended.
Islamabad Police said in a statement that any kind of gathering has been banned as per legal provisions.
Global internet watchdog NetBlocks on X, formerly known as Twitter, said live metrics showed WhatsApp messaging services were restricted before the protests.
A key aide of Khan, Ali Amin Gandapur, who is chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and is expected to lead the largest convoy into Islamabad, called on people to gather near the entrance to the city’s Red Zone, known as ” Known as “D Chowk”.
Islamabad’s red zone houses the country’s parliament building, important government establishments, as well as embassies and offices of foreign institutions.
“Khan has called on us to remain there until all our demands are met,” he said in a video message on Saturday.
PTI’s demands include the release of all its leaders including Khan as well as the resignation of the current government as it says the elections were rigged this year.
Khan has been in jail since August last year and faces multiple charges ranging from corruption to inciting violence after being voted out of power by Parliament in 2022.
He and his party deny all allegations.
“These continuous protests are destroying the economy and creating instability… We want the political leadership to sit together and resolve these matters,” Islamabad resident Muhammad Asif, 35, said in front of a closed market. “
The last protest by PTI in Islamabad in early October turned violent, leaving one policeman dead, dozens of security personnel injured and protesters arrested. Both sides accused each other of instigating the clashes.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
