Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, was placed under strict security lockdown on Sunday as supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan prepared to stage a large-scale protest demanding his release. The protest is being led by members of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, who are planning to gather near the country’s parliament to rally for the former prime minister’s freedom.
In a bid to prevent the protestors from entering the city, major highways leading to Islamabad have been blocked, and most key roads within the capital have been shut down with the help of shipping containers. The Islamabad police have deployed large contingents of officers and paramilitary personnel in riot gear to maintain order and prevent the demonstration from escalating.
A statement from the Islamabad police confirmed that all gatherings have been prohibited under legal provisions, and the city is on high alert as authorities brace for large numbers of PTI supporters to converge on the capital. In addition, mobile phone services have been suspended in several areas to restrict communication among protesters, and messaging app WhatsApp was reportedly restricted ahead of the demonstration, according to global internet watchdog NetBlocks.
Ali Amin Gandapur, a key ally of Khan and the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has been leading the call for the protest, urging his followers to gather near the entrance of Islamabad’s red zone, a highly sensitive area that houses Pakistan’s parliament building, key government offices, and foreign embassies. “Khan has called on us to remain there until all our demands are met,” Gandapur said in a video message shared on Saturday.
The PTI’s demands are centered around the immediate release of Khan and other detained party leaders, as well as the resignation of the current government, which they claim came to power through a rigged election earlier this year. Khan has been in jail since August 2023 and has faced multiple legal challenges, including charges related to corruption and incitement to violence. His supporters, including PTI, deny all the charges and continue to push for his release.
Khan’s political party has been staging frequent protests across Pakistan since his ousting from office in 2022, leading to growing political unrest and a tense atmosphere across the country. While many supporters believe the protests are essential for restoring democracy and justice, some citizens in Islamabad, like Muhammad Asif, expressed concerns about the continued unrest. “These constant protests are destroying the economy and creating instability… we want the political leadership to sit together and resolve these matters,” Asif, 35, said while standing in front of a closed market.
The last major PTI-led protest in Islamabad, which took place in early October, turned violent. Clashes between the police and protesters led to the death of one police officer, dozens of security personnel were injured, and several protesters were arrested. Both sides accused each other of instigating the violence, adding to the already tense atmosphere in the capital.
As the protest looms, the Pakistani government faces increasing pressure from both domestic and international observers to find a resolution to the political crisis. With security measures in place and the city on edge, all eyes will be on Islamabad to see if this latest protest will remain peaceful or if tensions will once again escalate.
Sources By Agencies
