Pakistan Seals Off Capital Ahead of Imran Khan Protest

In a bid to prevent an anti-government rally by supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Pakistani authorities have sealed off the capital, Islamabad, and blocked cellphone services, Arab News reported yesterday.

This protest is part of ongoing demonstrations demanding Khan’s release and opposing the ruling coalition, deemed illegitimate by his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Shipping containers have been deployed at key entry and exit points, heavily guarded by police and paramilitary forces. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi urged Khan’s supporters to postpone their rally to avoid disrupting preparations for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting on October 15-16.

Despite the warnings, Khan called on his supporters to gather outside parliament for a peaceful protest, declaring, “This war has entered a decisive phase.” Schools in the capital and nearby Rawalpindi were closed, and cellphone services were suspended following directives from the interior ministry.