Islamabad braces for impact as Pakistani authorities implement a sweeping crackdown on supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan. In a preemptive move to stifle a planned rally demanding Khan’s release, police have arrested over 4,000 individuals, including five parliamentarians, according to a security official in Punjab province, Shahid Nawaz. This dramatic escalation underscores the deep political divisions gripping the nation.
The planned rally, organized by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, aimed to pressure the government for Khan’s release from prison where he faces over 150 criminal charges. The PTI vehemently maintains these charges are politically motivated, a claim echoed by many of Khan’s supporters. To prevent the rally from taking place, authorities have implemented stringent security measures, effectively sealing off Islamabad. Shipping containers barricade major roads leading into the capital, cutting off access from PTI strongholds in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
The heavy-handed approach has triggered violent clashes between police and PTI supporters along the Punjab-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border, resulting in reported exchanges of tear gas. Further disrupting communication, Pakistan suspended mobile data services in “security-sensitive areas,” a move announced via X (formerly Twitter), a platform ironically banned within the country itself. The lack of specific details regarding the affected areas and the duration of the shutdown has raised concerns about transparency and potential overreach. Telecom company Nayatel advised customers to use landlines as an alternative.
Adding to the tension, Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, is reportedly en route to Islamabad in a convoy led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s chief minister, Ali Amin Gandapur. PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram stated that she wouldn’t abandon the party workers. Meanwhile, a festive, yet defiant, atmosphere prevailed in Peshawar as supporters celebrated and prepared to head towards the capital, a stark contrast to the high-security environment in Islamabad. The internet advocacy group NetBlocks noted disruptions to WhatsApp, a crucial communication tool for event coordination and information dissemination amongst Khan’s supporters.
This isn’t the first time the government has resorted to such drastic measures. A similar cellphone shutdown in Islamabad and Rawalpindi last month, aimed at disrupting pro-Khan rallies, drew widespread criticism due to its disruption of banking, ride-hailing, and food delivery services. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi defended the current actions, stating that Islamabad’s Red Zone, housing key government buildings, is sealed off, and anyone attempting to enter will face arrest. He blamed the PTI for disrupting public life and businesses, while Geo News reported that PTI protests have cost the government over PKR 2.7 billion (approximately $9.5 million USD) in the past 18 months, encompassing the cost of damage to public and private property.
The situation remains highly volatile, with the potential for further escalation. The government’s actions raise concerns about freedom of assembly and the potential for abuse of power, amidst a backdrop of already heightened political polarization. International observers are closely monitoring the situation as it unfolds.
