Pakistan partially stops mobile and internet services ahead of pro-Imran Khan protest
Associated PressDEC 1 2024
Pakistan: Imran Khan Supporters Detained After Defying Lockdown
Above: PTI supporters march towards Islamabad after clearing shipping containers placed by authorities during a demonstration demanding Khan's release in Punjab province on Nov. 25, 2024. Image copyright: AAMIR QURESHI/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The government must maintain law and order to protect diplomatic visits and prevent the destabilization of Islamabad, as previous protests have resulted in violence and damage to state property, disrupting daily life and threatening national security.
Narrative B
The protests represent a legitimate democratic movement against political persecution, as Khan faces politically motivated cases and his party was unfairly treated in recent elections, while the government's heavy-handed response violates basic rights to assembly and communication.