Pakistan: Demonstration planned in Karachi November 29 /update 6

Event

The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) announced that the next phase of its anti-government protests will begin with a demonstration in Karachi on Friday, November 29. Protesters plan to gather outside of the Election Commission in Pakistan's office in Karachi on Friday to demand Prime Minister Imran Khan's resignation and new elections. This demonstration follows a month of protests in urban centers countrywide and roadblock operations that have caused severe traffic disruptions across Pakistan since November 14. Further protests are expected over the near term.

A heightened security presence and significant transportation disruptions are expected in the vicinity of all protests. Clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out.

Context

Around 35,000 people marched into Islamabad on November 1 to demand Prime Minister Khan's resignation. The JUI-F is accusing Khan of economic mismanagement and alleged election rigging. The country's two main opposition parties, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan People's Party, supported the JUI-F's protest against the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party during the first stage of the Azadi march. The JUI-F launched the second stage of its protests on November 14, which consisted of roadblocks on major highways nationwide. On November 22, the JUI-F announced that the third stage would begin on November 29 with demonstrations in Karachi.

Advice

Individuals in Pakistan are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all public gatherings as a precaution, refrain from discussing political topics in public or on social media, budget additional time for travel in demonstration-affected areas, and anticipate transportation and business disruptions near protest sites, as well as a heightened security presence.