Pakistan’s Islamabad on Lockdown as Pro-Khan Protests Loom
Pakistan’s capital is under a heavy security lockdown to prevent supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan from reaching Islamabad in a planned nationwide protest demanding his release, Al Jazeera reports.
Authorities have implemented sweeping restrictions, including suspending mobile and internet services in unspecified “areas of security concern” and erecting roadblocks on major highways leading to the city.
Shipping containers have been strategically placed to block most major roads within Islamabad, and large contingents of police and paramilitary forces, many in riot gear, are deployed to prevent a march on the parliament building. Gatherings of any kind have been banned under existing legal provisions, according to a statement from Islamabad police.
The protests, dubbed a “final call” by the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, are demanding the release of Khan and other PTI leaders, as well as the resignation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The PTI alleges the current government came to power through a rigged election earlier this year.
PTI leader Pervez Khattak is expected to lead a significant contingent towards Islamabad’s red zone, specifically aiming for D Chowk, a key intersection near the parliament, government buildings, embassies, and foreign institutions.
While authorities stated on X (formerly Twitter) that communication services would remain operational in the rest of the country, the internet watchdog NetBlocks reported restrictions on WhatsApp messaging and social media platforms, including targeted blocks of VPN services. This mirrors a similar shutdown last month aimed at disrupting a pro-Khan rally, which caused widespread disruption to daily life, including banking and essential services.
Imran Khan, a popular cricketer-turned-politician, was removed from power in a no-confidence vote in 2022 and subsequently faces numerous charges, including sedition and terrorism. While he has received bail and acquittals in some cases, he remains imprisoned, a situation the PTI claims is politically motivated to prevent his return to power. Khan and his party deny all charges.
Khan’s arrest in May 2022 triggered widespread protests, some of which involved attacks on state buildings and military installations, leading to thousands of arrests, though only around 100 faced military trials. The PTI’s reliance on social media and messaging apps to mobilize supporters and coordinate actions makes the communication restrictions a significant factor in the government’s strategy to quell the protests.
