Pakistan is implementing strict security measures in Islamabad ahead of a planned rally by supporters of Imran Khan, the jailed former Prime Minister. The increased lockdown comes just ahead of the arrival of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who is set to visit the capital on Monday.
In preparation for the rally, the Interior Ministry is reportedly considering suspending mobile phone services in some regions of Pakistan. Additionally, the National Highways and Motorway Police announced that critical routes will be closed for maintenance, urging citizens to avoid non-essential travel. The move follows intelligence reports warning of possible disruptions, including protesters armed with sticks and slingshots, planning to create unrest and damage both public and private property on Sunday, the day of the rally.
To manage traffic and prevent large gatherings, multicolored shipping containers, a familiar sight in the city, were placed on critical roads on Saturday. The government has also banned gatherings of five or more people in Islamabad for two months, a direct response to the potential for protests by Khan’s supporters and activists from his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
Khan, who has been imprisoned for over a year on charges linked to political activities, faces more than 150 criminal cases, which his party maintains are politically motivated. Despite his imprisonment, Khan remains highly popular among his supporters, and the PTI continues to claim that the charges are part of a political vendetta against him.
This heightened security follows a similar three-day shutdown in Islamabad last month during a security summit, highlighting the government’s continued efforts to prevent large-scale protests and maintain order in the capital.