Latest News

Islamabad locked down ahead of protests looking for ex-PM Imran Khan's release

Pakistan's capital was put under a security lockdown on Sunday ahead of demonstrations by advocates of imprisoned previous Prime Minister Imran Khan calling for his release.

Highways leading to Islamabad through which fans of Khan, led by members of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). celebration, are expected to approach the city and gather near the. parliament, have been blocked.

A lot of significant roadways of the city have also been obstructed by the. government with shipping containers and large contingents of. cops and paramilitary personnel have actually been deployed in riot. equipment, while cellphone services have actually been suspended.

Gatherings of any sort have been prohibited under legal. arrangements, the Islamabad police said in a statement.

Global web guard dog NetBlocks stated on X, formerly known. as Twitter, that live metrics revealed WhatsApp messaging services. had been limited ahead of the demonstrations.

A crucial Khan help, Ali Amin Gandapur, who is the chief minister. of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and is anticipated to lead the. largest convoy into Islamabad, called on people to collect near. the entryway of the city's red zone, referred to as D Chowk.

Islamabad's red zone houses the nation's parliament. building, important government installations, in addition to. embassies and foreign organizations' workplaces.

Khan has actually contacted us to stay there till all our demands. are satisfied, he stated in a video message on Saturday.

The PTI's needs consist of the release of all its leaders,. including Khan, in addition to the resignation of the current. federal government due to what it states was a rigged election this year.

Khan has remained in jail since August in 2015 and, since. being voted out of power by parliament in 2022, deals with a number. of charges ranging from corruption to instigation of violence.

He and his party reject all the charges.

These consistent protests are destroying the economy and. creating instability ... we desire the political leadership to sit. together and deal with these matters, Muhammad Asif, 35, a. resident of Islamabad said in front of a closed market.

The last demonstration in Islamabad by PTI in early October turned. violent with one policeman killed, lots of security personnel. hurt and protesters arrested. Both sides implicated the other of. initiating the clashes.

(source: Reuters)