Pakistan 's capital locked down ahead of opposition protest

​​​​​​​By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Internet services were suspended and all major motorways and roads leading to Pakistan's capital were blocked ahead of an opposition protest on Sunday that seeks the release of incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Police placed containers at entry and exit points of Islamabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi and other cities, mainly at the borders of northwestern Khyber Phaktunkhwa (KP) province, which is governed by Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, to hold off protesters.

The PTI has given a "final march" call to stage a sit-in near parliament until Khan is released.

Footage by broadcasters showed giant containers placed on different sections of roads in Islamabad as police arrested more than 500 PTI activists from across the country, mainly from adjoining northeastern Punjab province.

The government warned that protesters will be dealt with "iron hands" as thousands of police and paramilitary troops have been deployed to foil the protest.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqavi told reporters that "preparations" have been finalized to foil the opposition's "unlawful" march.

KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said party workers would reach the D-roundabout near parliament "come what may," and would only leave the capital when Khan is released.

On Friday, the Islamabad High Court, in a petition from Islamabad's traders, directed the government to take necessary measures to maintain law and order in the capital, particularly as the Belarusian president is scheduled to arrive during the weekend.

Khan, 72, has been languishing in a jail in the northeastern garrison city of Rawalpindi since August 2023.

The former cricket star is facing a string of cases, ranging from corruption to terrorism. He said the cases are a sham.