The United Kingdom has recently updated its travel advice for Pakistan in response to the wave of protests that erupted across the country after the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan. This travel advisory was shared by British Acting High Commissioner Andrew Dalgleish via his Twitter account. With the title “Updated Information on Political Rallies and Protests,” the advisory specifically cautions British citizens against traveling to certain areas.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) of the UK has advised its citizens against all travel to various regions, including Baujar, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, North Waziristan, South Waziristan, Charsadda, Kohat, Tank, Bannu, Lakki, Dera Ismail Khan, Swat, Buner, Lower Dir, and Peshawar. Additionally, the advisory covers the N45 road from the north of the Mardan ring-road to the edge of the Chitral district, Balochistan (excluding the southern coast), and the section of the N35 (Karakoram Highway) between the Mansehra ring road and the N15/N35 Chilas interchange. Travel within 10 miles of the Line of Control is also strongly discouraged.
Furthermore, the FCDO advises against all non-essential travel to specific areas, including Arandu town and the road between Mirkhani and Arandu in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the southern coast of Balochistan (including Gwadar) defined as the area south of the N10 motorway and the section of the N25 from the N10/N25 intersection to the Balochistan/Sindh border, as well as areas of Sindh north of, and including, Nawabshah.
Earlier today, the Rangers personnel arrested PTI Chairman Khan at the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) based on a warrant issued by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). In response to his arrest, the PTI called on its supporters nationwide to engage in protests and “block all roads, close all shops.”
Consequently, PTI workers staged protests in various cities, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, Peshawar, and Mardan. In Karachi, demonstrators clashed with the police near Nursery, resorting to stone-throwing, setting fire to police vehicles, damaging street lights, and vandalizing a bus. Reports suggest that the police used tear gas shells to disperse the protesters. Public property was also damaged in other cities such as Rawalpindi and Lahore.
