Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, is currently under lockdown as authorities take steps to prevent a rally by supporters of ex-leader Imran Khan. The Pakistani Tehreek-e-Insaf party, led by Khan, had planned a rally seeking his release from prison. To thwart this demonstration, the government has placed shipping containers on key roads and highways leading to the capital. In addition, cellphone services have been suspended in Islamabad.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s administration has also deployed paramilitary rangers and additional police personnel. Schools in Islamabad and the nearby city of Rawalpindi have been shut down as a precautionary measure. Despite warnings and bans on rallies, Khan’s party has refused to withdraw its call for the protest, leading to these stringent measures to prevent the gathering.
Videos circulating online show police strategically placing shipping containers on bridges and roads in the northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where Khan’s party holds significant influence. Despite the ban on rallies, Khan’s supporters are adamant about marching from the province to Islamabad. Reports have emerged of police arresting some party supporters in an effort to deter the planned demonstration.
Imran Khan, a prominent figure in Pakistani politics, has been imprisoned for over a year in connection with numerous police cases. His party and critics allege that these charges are politically motivated. Despite facing legal challenges, Khan remains a popular figure in the country. He was ousted through a no-confidence vote in 2022 and subsequently jailed in 2023 after a court sentenced him to 3 years in prison for a graft case.
The suspension of cellphone services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi has disrupted communication and basic services, affecting online banking and transportation services. The roadblocks set up by authorities have also caused travel disruptions for many residents. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has warned of severe consequences if the ban on protests is violated, emphasizing that no leniency will be shown.
Khan’s party, on the other hand, has urged supporters to join the planned protest despite government warnings. The social media account associated with Khan’s party conveyed a message encouraging supporters to stand fearless against what they perceive as oppression. The government, led by Shehbaz Sharif, has accused Khan’s party of attempting to destabilise the country’s economy through violent protests, despite security threats from groups like the Pakistani Taliban.
In the midst of these tensions, supporters of Imran Khan have gathered in Swabi, a city in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, to kick off a march towards Islamabad. Provincial Chief Minister Ali Amin Gundapur, a vocal advocate for Khan’s release, is set to lead this march. The provincial government has mobilised resources to clear the roadblocks put in place by federal authorities along the highway leading to the capital.
These developments underscore the ongoing political turmoil in Pakistan, with the fate of Imran Khan and the stability of the country hanging in the balance.