Pakistani authorities have implemented stringent measures to prevent supporters of Imran Khan, the imprisoned former Prime Minister, from staging a rally in Islamabad. The government's actions include placing shipping containers on key roads, suspending cellular services, and deploying additional security forces in the capital and nearby Rawalpindi.
Imran Khan, who served as Pakistan's 22nd Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022, has been incarcerated for over a year in connection with numerous legal cases. Despite his imprisonment, Khan maintains significant popularity, with his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), asserting that the charges against him are politically motivated.
The current administration, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has taken these precautionary steps in response to PTI's refusal to cancel their planned protest. Authorities have also closed educational institutions in Islamabad and Rawalpindi as part of their efforts to maintain order.
Reports indicate that law enforcement agencies have detained some PTI supporters. The party's stronghold in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, formerly known as the North-West Frontier Province until 2010, has become a focal point of tension. Online videos show police placing obstacles on bridges and roads in this region, where Khan's supporters plan to begin their march towards Islamabad.
The restrictions have significantly disrupted daily life in the affected areas. The suspension of cellular services has impacted various sectors, including online banking and delivery services. Many residents have encountered difficulties in their daily commutes due to the roadblocks.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi issued a stern warning to Khan's party, urging them to cancel the planned protest and threatening strict action if the ban on rallies is violated. However, a message attributed to Khan on social media encouraged his supporters to participate in the protest, stating, "The tyrants in power want to terrorize us. So go forth fearlessly, and remember if you still hesitate, to step forward and truly liberate yourself."
The government justifies its actions by citing concerns over potential violence and the threat of attacks by the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has intensified its activities in recent years. Additionally, authorities argue that such protests could negatively impact Pakistan's economy, which is currently in a precarious state.
Pakistan, a nuclear-armed nation with a population exceeding 220 million, has recently secured a $7 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to address its ongoing economic challenges. The country has faced recurring economic crises since its independence in 1947, with its economy heavily reliant on agriculture.
Despite the obstacles, Khan's supporters gathered in Swabi, a city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to commence their march towards Islamabad. Provincial Chief Minister Ali Amin Gundapur, who led a significant rally near the capital last month demanding Khan's release, planned to join the march.
As tensions escalate, the provincial government has reportedly mobilized heavy machinery to remove the shipping containers placed by federal authorities on the highway leading to Islamabad. This ongoing political turmoil unfolds against the backdrop of Pakistan's complex geopolitical situation, including its militarized border with India and its intricate relationship with neighboring Afghanistan.
"The tyrants in power want to terrorize us. So go forth fearlessly, and remember if you still hesitate, to step forward and truly liberate yourself."
As events continue to unfold, the situation remains fluid, with both the government and Khan's supporters standing firm in their positions. The coming days will likely prove crucial in determining the course of Pakistan's political landscape.