Containers on the streets – “can quickly get worse”

Tensions are rising in Pakistan. All major roads around the capital Islamabad have been shut down, due to a protest march planned by the ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan.

– Once they reach Islamabad, it will be violent here too, says 26-year-old Amna Asad.

All roads leading to Islamabad were blocked on Wednesday ahead of the planned demonstration. Police have used tear gas to disperse his followers in the city.

Entrance and exit points on major roads towards Islamabad have also been closed by police in the nearest major cities of Peshawar, Lahore and Multan.

Former cricket star Imran Khan has been ruled out with a no-confidence vote in April. Last week, he urged his supporters to march peacefully to Islamabad, to pressure the government to call new elections.

Khan: The march continues

Yesterday, the country’s government announced that it was banning Khan’s protest march. That after a policeman was shot dead by a Khan supporter in the big city of Lahore, when they came to arrest him.

According to the government and the country’s police, the protesters have planned to bring weapons to the capital.

Despite the ban, Khan announced at a press conference in Peshawar that the march will continue as planned, and that he himself will be there.

“Signs of police presence”

26-year-old Amna Asad lives in a suburb northeast of the capital Islamabad. She tells TT that even for her, all roads into the capital are blocked, and no vehicles are allowed to enter. In addition, many offices are kept closed and several in the city, including herself, work from home.

– It is also a ban for more than five people to gather, she says.

TT: How is the atmosphere in the capital?

– Since yesterday, you notice the police presence much more than before. When I came home from work yesterday, there were many police cars on the roads, which is unusual. Today there are even more. They had also placed containers on the roads.

She believes the situation will escalate either on Thursday or the day after. Despite the many roadblocks, she believes Khan’s supporters will eventually reach the capital.

– The opposition gathers in Lahore and other cities and there is a lot of violence. So once they reach Islamabad, it will be violent here too, because they will try to stop.

Hundreds of supporters arrested

Imran Khan says he was ousted in a US-led coup, and told reporters in Peshawar that he would lead the largest march in Pakistan’s history.

“My message to the nation is: Everyone must break free from the grip of fear in order to achieve freedom,” the ousted prime minister wrote on Twitter.

He himself traveled by helicopter to a motorway 100 km north of the capital, where he condemned the actions of the police and urged his followers to join the march.

Earlier this week, police arrested hundreds of Khan supporters in night raids, and the government has mobilized police and militias on the country’s highways.

As for Amna, she does not know anyone who participates in the protests yet, but says that “everyone she knows” will participate if they reach the capital.

She herself is cautiously positive about participating.

– I will probably demonstrate. I understand the reason and am for it. But I’m worried about safety, she says, adding:

– Now the situation is calm, but it can quickly get worse.