Pakistan has suspended mobile and internet services “in areas with security concerns” as supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan gear up for a protest in the capital.

The Islamabad High Court had ruled the protest 'unlawful', directing the government to maintain law and order without disrupting public life, especially with the Belarusian president's scheduled visit over the weekend with a high-profile delegation.

The government blocked most major roads with shipping containers, and police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in riot gear.

Islamabad was under lockdown Sunday amid nationwide protests in favor of releasing former Prime Minister Imran Khan from prison.

The jailed leader called on supporters to protest until Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government agreed to release jailed party leaders

A Pakistani security officer says police have arrested thousands of Imran Khan supporters ahead of a rally in Islamabad to demand the ex-premier’s release from prison

A Pakistani security officer says police have arrested thousands of Imran Khan supporters ahead of a rally in Islamabad to demand the ex-premier’s release from prison. Khan has been behind

Imran Khan's PTI party protests in Pakistan have cost the government over PKR 2 billion over the past 18 months, according to Geo News. Damages to public and private property, security expenses, and lost productivity have added to the financial strain on the struggling economy.