Pakistani authorities delay pro-Imran Khan rally with road closures in Islamabad

A planned rally in support of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was delayed after authorities in Islamabad blocked roads leading into the city ahead of the demonstration, according to Al Jazeera.

Officials used shipping containers to close off routes in advance of the protest organized by Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, a tactic that has been used repeatedly in the Pakistani capital to prevent large opposition gatherings from reaching central areas of the city.

Details on the exact new timing of the rally, the number of supporters expected, or the government's stated justification for the closures were not immediately available.

PTI has organized numerous demonstrations calling for Khan's release since his imprisonment, and the party's rallies have frequently faced restrictions from authorities citing security concerns.

The standoff reflects continuing tension between Pakistan's government and PTI, whose supporters have repeatedly sought to hold public demonstrations despite road closures and other measures aimed at limiting turnout.