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March demanding release of Pakistan's Imran Khan nears capital

A march by numerous supporters to demand the release of imprisoned previous Prime Minister Imran Khan reached the fringes of Pakistan's capital of Islamabad on Monday, his party and authorities said, amidst reports of violence somewhere else.

Authorities have imposed a security lockdown for the last two days to obstruct the protesters, whom Khan has actually gotten in touch with to march on parliament for a sit-in presentation, while highways into the city have actually been barricaded.

The government has utilized shipping containers to block major roadways and streets in Islamabad, the majority of them patrolled by big contingents of police and paramilitary workers in riot equipment.

Officials and witnesses said all public transport between cities and terminals has actually likewise been shut down in the eastern province of Punjab to keep away the protesters, led by members of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) celebration.

We wouldn't let them storm the capital, said provincial Information Minister Uzma Bukhari, adding that about 80 of Khan's supporters had been detained.

Several authorities officials were hurt in clashes and rioting at some places in the province, she told a press conference.

The capital included an additional layer of security ahead of a. see by the president of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, set to. arrive on Monday.

Khan's celebration accused the federal government of utilizing violent tactics. to block the protesters, stating it had arrested hundreds of. employees and leaders.

They are even shooting live bullets, one of Khan's assistants,. Shaukat Yousafzai, informed broadcaster Geo News television.

Events of any sort in Islamabad have actually been banned, authorities. stated in a declaration. Authorities closed all schools in Islamabad. and the adjacent garrison city of Rawalpindi, while the internet. and WhatsApp messaging services also slowed.

The demonstration march, which Khan has actually referred to as the final. call, is among numerous his party had actually held to seek his release. because he was imprisoned in August in 2015. The celebration's newest. demonstration in Islamabad, early in October, turned violent.

Khan's third better half, Bushra Bibi, and a key aide, Ali Amin. Gandapur, who is the primary minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. province, are leading a rally that got here just outside. Islamabad on Sunday night, his party said.

Voted out of power by parliament in 2022 after falling out. with Pakistan's powerful armed force, Khan deals with charges varying. from corruption to instigation of violence, all of which he and. his celebration deny.

The military has an outsized role in politics, and primarily. decides who will rule the South Asian nation of 241 million.

(source: Reuters)