Pakistan’s capital has been placed under a security lockdown to prevent supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan from marching to Islamabad as part of the nationwide protests to seek his release.
Authorities suspended mobile and internet services in “areas which present security concerns,” and blocked highways leading to Islamabad in advance of the nationwide “final call” protests organized by the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
The PTI’s demands include the release of all its leaders, including Khan, as well as the resignation of the current government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the wake of what it says was a rigged election earlier this year.
Khan was removed from power in 2022 in a parliamentary vote of no confidence. The government charged and jailed him in dozens of cases, including sedition and terrorism. While Khan has got bail and even been acquitted in several cases, he continues to remain behind bars, which the PTI says is a ploy to prevent his return to power.
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