ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's capital has been placed under heavy security to prevent supporters of jailed former Prime Minister and founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf' (PTI), Imran Khan, from marching towards Islamabad as they are set to continue to protest throughout the country to seek his release.

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.

A large convoy of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf supporters, led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and opposition leader Omar Ayub, encountered heavy resistance from law enforcement as

Pakistani police arrested thousands of Imran Khan supporters ahead of a rally in the capital to demand the ex-premier’s release from prison, a security officer said Sunday. Khan has been behind bars for more than a year and has over 150 criminal cases against him.

Pakistan suspended mobile and internet services in several areas, including the capital Islamabad, citing “security concerns” in view of anticipated protests by supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan.