Pakistan’s capital under official security lockdown due to opposition rally 

Paramilitary soldiers stand guard with riot gears at a road barricaded with shipping containers ahead of a planned rally by supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, in Islamabad, Nov. 24, 2024. FILE - Supporters of Pakistan's jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan rally, demanding his release from prison where he has been held for more than a year after being sentenced in multiple cases, on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan, Sept. 8, 2024. Police officers detain supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, which supporters gather for a rally demanding Khan's release, in Lahore, Pakistan, Nov. 24, 2024. Supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, dance before starting a rally for Islamabad to demand Khan's release, in Peshawar, Pakistan, Nov. 24, 2024.

Thousands of supporters of Pakistan's jailed former prime minister, Imran Khan, marched toward Islamabad on Sunday to demand his release, among other political prisoners, prompting authorities to lock down the capital and partially suspend mobile internet services. Khan has urged supporters of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, or PTI, party to assemble at the capital’s D-Chowk public square and remain there until the government addresses their demands. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s coalition government has deployed tens of thousands of police and paramilitary forces in riot gear and blocked highways leading to Islamabad ahead of the opposition protest rally. Police announced a ban on all gatherings in Islamabad leading up to the rally. Pakistani authorities have also closed major roads in the capital, using shipping containers to prevent protesters from reaching the venue near the country’s parliament and Supreme Court buildings, among other key government installations. “The protest location is a protected area in Islamabad. Any protesters who enter this area will be arrested,” Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters at the D-Chowk square on Sunday. PTI leaders and supporters have vowed to reach the venue in Islamabad despite the security and communication clampdowns. Reports indicate that police fired tear gas shells at several rallies heading toward Islamabad.