Pakistani authorities have closed national highways and motorways nationwide in anticipation of a protest rally organised by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in Islamabad on Sunday (Nov 24).

Pakistani authorities have closed national highways and motorways nationwide in anticipation of a protest rally organised by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in Islamabad on Sunday (Nov 24). The demonstration is being held in support of former prime minister Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned for over a year. PTI claims the charges against him are politically motivated. The protest also aims to point out alleged interference in the February general elections and to demand measures to safeguard judicial independence, which the party claims has been undermined by the 26th Constitutional Amendment. The government has denied these allegations. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's administration has pledged to take strict action to prevent the PTI’s protest and warned that participants risk arrest. In an effort to suppress the rally, authorities have deployed security forces, banned public gatherings, blocked roads in Islamabad and Rawalpindi using shipping containers, and launched a crackdown on opposition leaders and workers. Also read: Imran Khan’s PTI tones down Nov 24 protests as authorities lock down Islamabad Police reported the deployment of 6,325 Islamabad police officers, supported by 21,500 personnel from other forces. This includes 5,000 Rangers, 5,500 Frontier Constabulary officers, 9,000 Punjab police officers, and 2,000 Sindh police personnel, all tasked with preventing PTI supporters from entering the capital. Pakistan's anti-terror body warns of militant threat ahead of PTI protest in Islamabad Meanwhile, Pakistan’s National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) has issued a warning about potential militant attacks targeting the PTI rally. In a classified alert shared earlier in the week, NACTA indicated that members of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had crossed into Pakistan from Afghanistan and infiltrated key cities. The alert, issued on Thursday but reported in the media on Saturday, was based on intelligence from "multiple sources" regarding threats to the protest march. (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan seals off Islamabad ahead of PTI protests; anti-terror body warns of militant threat

The United States today said it supports free, fair, transparent and accountable elections in Pakistan which faces general elections on July 25.

It also expressed hope that the 2017 electoral reforms law, being put into effect from these elections, would help facilitate the peaceful transfer of civilian power to a democratically elected government.&nbsp

"The United States supports free, fair, and transparent, accountable elections in Pakistan as we do in other countries around the world," State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters during her biweekly news conference.

The United States along with other international partners has supported Pakistan's implementation of its historic 2017 electoral reforms law, she said.

"My understanding is that this is the first time that that law will actually be put into effect for these elections. We hope that the new comprehensive and transparent legal framework facilitates the peaceful transfer of civilian power to a democratically elected government," Nauert said.

In response to a question, she said she is not aware if the United States is sending any observers on the ground.

"We tend to support international organisations that do participate as observers," she said.&nbsp

In the elections announced earlier this week, Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) is expected to be the main challenger to the ruling party.mangl

The present government will complete the tenure on May 31 and the caretaker government will take over form June 1 and remain in office until a new government is set up through elections.

It also expressed hope that the 2017 electoral reforms law, being put into effect from these elections, would help facilitate the peaceful transfer of civilian power to a democratically elected government

The United States today said it supports free, fair, transparent and accountable elections in Pakistan which faces general elections on July 25. It also expressed hope that the 2017 electoral reforms law, being put into effect from these elections, would help facilitate the peaceful transfer of civilian power to a democratically elected government. "The United States supports free, fair, and transparent, accountable elections in Pakistan as we do in other countries around the world," State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters during her biweekly news conference. The United States along with other international partners has supported Pakistan's implementation of its historic 2017 electoral reforms law, she said. "My understanding is that this is the first time that that law will actually be put into effect for these elections. We hope that the new comprehensive and transparent legal framework facilitates the peaceful transfer of civilian power to a democratically elected government," Nauert said. In response to a question, she said she is not aware if the United States is sending any observers on the ground. "We tend to support international organisations that do participate as observers," she said. In the elections announced earlier this week, Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) is expected to be the main challenger to the ruling party.mangl The present government will complete the tenure on May 31 and the caretaker government will take over form June 1 and remain in office until a new government is set up through elections.

US says it supports free, fair and transparent elections in Pakistan

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Pakistan seals off Islamabad ahead of PTI protests; anti-terror body warns of militant threat

US says it supports free, fair and transparent elections in Pakistan