Red Zone Sealed Ahead of PTI's Protest Rally in Islamabad

Pakistani authorities have closed the Red Zone in Islamabad before a protest rally by former Prime Minister Imran Khan's PTI party. Khan, who has been jailed for over a year, urges supporters to protest at D-Chowk to pressure the government for his release. The rally coincides with a visit from Malaysia's Prime Minister.

Pakistani authorities have sealed off the Red Zone in the national capital, Islamabad, ahead of a significant protest rally organized by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by the jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Imran Khan, aged 71, has called on his followers to gather at D-Chowk on Friday to show solidarity with the judiciary. The move is seen as an attempt to pressure the government into releasing him from jail, where he has been detained for over a year. In preparations, police have placed shipping containers on roads leading to the Red Zone, leaving only Margalla Road open for traffic to access key government buildings and diplomatic missions.

The heavy security measures coincide with the arrival of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is on a three-day official visit. Meanwhile, Khan's PTI has ramped up its public activities, hosting major rallies in Islamabad and Lahore, as well as a protest in Rawalpindi. More protests are planned across other cities, culminating in a significant power show at D-Chowk in Islamabad this Friday.

(With inputs from agencies.)