Pakistan’s capital Islamabad has been placed under tight security as supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan prepare for a protest march demanding his release.
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced plans for a nationwide protest movement, with party leaders considering a march towards Islamabad from Sunday.
At a meeting on Friday, PTI leaders discussed whether to begin the march on Sunday or delay the programme until next week. Some advocated gradually moving towards the capital from Sunday.
The government has taken extensive security measures to prevent the demonstration. Public gatherings have been banned in Islamabad, while major roads connecting the capital with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been blocked.
Around 22,000 police and other security personnel have reportedly been deployed across Islamabad. More than 1,000 shipping containers have been placed on roads to restrict movement, with some fitted with spikes. Sandbags have also been positioned on bridges and a major highway has been closed.
Thousands of security personnel have also been deployed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while the main highway linking provincial capital Peshawar with Islamabad has been blocked.
Dozens of PTI leaders and former ministers have already been detained. Three of Imran Khan’s sisters were also detained earlier this week.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said the PTI would proceed with the march unless the government made significant concessions, including improving Khan’s conditions in prison and ensuring fair hearings in his cases.
The PTI has alleged that Khan is being held in isolation and that his access to medical treatment and family members has been restricted for months. Khan has denied the allegations against him and rejected the charges brought against him.
Khan was sentenced to prison in a corruption case in 2023 and has remained behind bars since then.
Previous PTI demonstrations have led to clashes between Khan’s supporters and security forces, raising concerns about possible confrontation if the latest mobilisation proceeds.
The heightened security measures have effectively disrupted movement in Islamabad as authorities seek to prevent a large-scale PTI gathering.
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