Pakistani authorities have locked down Islamabad and partially suspended mobile phone and Internet services as supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan geared up for a protest in the capital, calling for his release.
The government announced late on November 23 that Internet and cellphone services would be temporarily unavailable "in areas with security concerns" while "continuing to operate as usual in the rest of the country."
It did not specify the areas, nor did it explain when the suspension would be lifted. The announcement was posted on X, which is banned in Pakistan.
WATCH: At least one officer was killed and dozens of people were injured outside Islamabad after police fired tear gas at supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan on November 25.
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Pakistani Police Use Tear Gas Against Khan Supporters (Video)
The action came ahead of the planned visit of Belarusian authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka, who was due to arrive on November 25. A 60-member Belarusian delegation arrived in Islamabad on November 24 to pave the way for his stay.
Highways leading to Islamabad through which the protesters are expected to enter the city and gather near the parliament have been blocked by the government.
Most major roads in the city have also been sealed off with shipping containers, while large contingents of police and paramilitary personnel could be seen deployed in riot gear.
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Islamabad Locked Down As Imran Khan's Supporters Plan To Protest
Islamabad police issued a statement, saying gatherings of any sort have been banned under legal provisions.
Khan has been in prison since August 2023 and has over 150 criminal cases against him, ranging from corruption to inciting violence.
Khan and his party, Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaf or PTI, deny all the charges as politically motivated.
Khan’s supporters rely heavily on social media to demand his release and use messaging platforms like WhatsApp to share information, including details of protest rallies.
Ali Amin Gandapur, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province and a key Khan ally, called on protesters to gather near the entrance of Islamabad's red zone, known as D Chowk.
The red zone houses the country's parliament building and important government offices, as well as embassies and foreign institutions' offices.
"Khan has called on us to remain there till all our demands are met," Gandapur said in a video message on November 23. He is expected to lead the largest convoy into Islamabad.
Last month, a PTI protest in Islamabad turned violent with one policeman killed, dozens of security personnel injured, and protesters arrested. Both protesters and authorities accused one another of instigating the clashes.
The shutdown of Internet and cellphone services during that protest disrupted communications and affected everyday services such as banking, ride-hailing, and food delivery.