ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities have arrested over 4,000 supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan ahead of a planned rally in the capital demanding his release from prison. The arrests include five parliamentarians, a security officer reported on Sunday.
Khan, who has been imprisoned for more than a year, faces over 150 criminal charges, which his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), insists are politically motivated. Despite his imprisonment, Khan remains a popular figure in the country.
Authorities have sealed off Islamabad, blocking key roads and highways with shipping containers to prevent supporters from reaching the city. The police and PTI supporters exchanged teargas along the border between Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, where the party has significant support.
In response to security concerns, Pakistan suspended mobile and internet services in certain areas, though the government did not specify the locations or duration of the shutdown. Services outside these areas, including banking and food delivery, remained unaffected. Telecom provider Nayatel offered landline services to customers affected by the mobile blackout.
PTI members, including Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi, were en route to Islamabad on Sunday, led by the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur. PTI supporters in Peshawar celebrated the rally with dancing and chanting as they prepared for the march.
Internet restrictions were also placed on social media platforms like WhatsApp, which PTI supporters use to organize and communicate about events. According to the internet advocacy group Netblocks, there were disruptions with WhatsApp, hindering media sharing.
The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad issued a security warning, urging American citizens to avoid large gatherings, as protests could turn violent.
The crackdown is taking place just before the arrival of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Islamabad. Authorities have secured the city's Red Zone, where important government buildings are located, warning that anyone attempting to reach the area would be arrested.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi emphasized that the measures were aimed at ensuring public safety and preventing disruption. He accused PTI of causing inconvenience to the public, adding that the protest route had been blocked to avoid clashes with the visiting Belarusian delegation.
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