Thousands of workers and supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party are heading to the capital to protest amid a heavy deployment of security forces and restrictions on mobile and internet services. At the same time, Imran’s wife Bushra Bibi climbs on top of the container along with the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and moves towards Islamabad through the Punjab province of Pakistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi pledged to ensure the security of Islamabad. This rally is being held to demand the release of Imran Khan.
Jailed Imran Khan, 72, had called for nationwide protests in which he condemned the stolen mandate, the unjust arrests of people and the passage of the 26th Amendment, which he said had strengthened dictatorial rule in Pakistan. At the same time, his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has asked the public to join the march to break the “shackles of slavery”.
At the same time, the Home Minister visited D-Chowk, where Imran Khan’s party is talking about organizing a protest. D-Chowk is close to many important government buildings including the Presidency, Prime Minister’s Office, Parliament and the Supreme Court. Rangers along with police and border police have been deployed to monitor the area. Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the government has been forced to take strict security measures. One option is to let them come and paralyze Islamabad. The second option is to protect Islamabad. He said those who march towards D-Chowk will be arrested.
