Pakistan seals major highways into Islamabad as supporters rally for the release of Imran Khan

Al Jazeera•Published: Sep 23, 2026 12:29 PM IST

Pakistani authorities have barricaded major entry points into Islamabad to block a massive protest march organized by supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Security forces are deploying shipping containers and heavy police presence to prevent demonstrators from reaching the capital city.

Authorities have suspended mobile internet services in several regions to disrupt protest coordination.
Major highways connecting Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Islamabad have been completely blocked by police.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has vowed to continue the march until Khan is released from prison.
Section 144 has been imposed across the capital, banning all public gatherings and protests.

The Context & Background

Khan has been behind bars since August 2023 on various charges ranging from corruption to leaking state secrets, which he claims are politically motivated. His supporters have repeatedly taken to the streets to demand his freedom, leading to frequent clashes with security forces and ongoing political instability.

Why it matters:The standoff threatens to paralyze the country's economy and deepen the political crisis currently gripping Pakistan. For ordinary citizens, the lockdowns mean severe travel disruptions, closed businesses, and limited access to digital communication services.

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