Pakistan deploys thousands of security forces ahead of protest
Police mobilised 22,000 personnel to lock down Islamabad, blocking access to and from neighbouring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where Imran Khan’s party governs.
Pakistan has deployed thousands of security forces around Islamabad to prevent a major protest organized by supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Authorities blocked key access routes with shipping containers, completely cutting off transport links and causing major traffic congestion. Police deployed 22,000 security personnel, barring entry and exit to neighboring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where Khan's party holds power.
This preemptive crackdown, which intensified this week with the detention of Khan's sisters, has sparked international concern over press censorship, mass arrests, and restrictions on fundamental freedoms. The government accuses Khan and his associates of mobilizing supporters via social media and inciting unrest against state institutions.
Khan, currently imprisoned and facing numerous charges, denies the allegations, claiming they are politically motivated. The 73-year-old former cricketer has been behind bars since August 2023.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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