Pakistan authorities seal Islamabad, suspend cellphone services, and block roads to prevent an anti-government rally in support of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
BollywoodFever: Authorities in Pakistan sealed off the capital, Islamabad, and suspended cellphone services on Friday in a bid to thwart an anti-government rally organized by supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. This protest, the latest in a series, aims to press for Khan’s release and challenge the legitimacy of the ruling coalition government, which his party claims came to power following a fraudulent election.
Shipping containers were positioned to block entry and exit points to the capital, and large numbers of police and paramilitary troops were deployed, according to officials. Any public gatherings in Islamabad have been banned, with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stating, “If someone plans to storm Islamabad, we wouldn’t let that happen.”
Naqvi also urged Khan’s supporters to postpone the rally to avoid disrupting preparations for an upcoming meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on October 15 and 16. Several high-profile foreign dignitaries, including Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, a Saudi delegation, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, are expected to attend. Naqvi stressed that any unrest would send a negative message to the international community ahead of the event.
Despite this, Khan, who has been imprisoned since August 2023, called on his supporters to gather outside parliament for a peaceful protest. “I want you all to reach D-Chowk today for a peaceful protest rally,” he posted on X.
Islamabad police, however, warned that they would take action against anyone attempting to disturb the peace. Schools were closed, and cellphone services were suspended in both Islamabad and the neighboring garrison city of Rawalpindi, following orders from the interior ministry.
Khan’s supporters have continued to protest since his arrest, though his opponents, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, formed a coalition government after winning a majority in the February general election.
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