Islamabad was placed under a heavy security lockdown on Sunday as supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan prepared to stage protests calling for his release.
Members of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party are expected to gather near the parliament, and authorities have blocked major highways leading to the capital.
To prevent large gatherings, the government has shut down most major roads in the city, deploying shipping containers and riot-equipped police and paramilitary forces. Mobile phone services have also been suspended, and any form of assembly has been banned, according to a statement from Islamabad police.
Ali Amin Gandapur, a senior PTI leader and chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has called on Khan’s supporters to rally near the entrance of Islamabad’s “red zone,” an area housing key government buildings, including the parliament, embassies, and foreign institutions.
Gandapur urged the crowd to remain there until all demands are met, including the release of all PTI leaders and the current government’s resignation, citing alleged election rigging earlier this year.
Khan, who was ousted from power in 2022, has been in jail since August 2023, facing multiple charges, including corruption and instigating violence—charges he and his party vehemently deny.
“This constant protesting is harming the economy and creating instability… we want the political leadership to sit together and resolve these matters,” said Muhammad Asif, 35, a resident, speaking outside a closed market in Islamabad.
The last PTI protest in the capital, in early October, turned violent, resulting in the death of one policeman, injuries to dozens of security officers, and numerous arrests. Both PTI and the authorities accused each other of instigating the violence.
