A Pakistani lawmaker says he has been stopped by the authorities upon his arrival in the southwestern city of Quetta to take part in an anti-government rally.
"Once again our rights are being violated by state above the state. I have been detained at Quetta airport," independent lawmaker Mohsin Dawar tweeted on October 24.
Dozens of Dawar supporters started a sit-in protest outside the airport to condemn his detention.
Dawar had come to Quetta in Balochistan Province to attend a planned rally by 11 opposition parties on October 25, the third such demonstration this month.
Balochistan officials said they had allowed all leaders of opposition parties to enter Quetta, but claimed that there was a previous entry ban against Dawar.
Meanwhile, leaders of the opposition alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement had reached Quetta to stage their demonstration.
Thousands of opposition supporters attended the first two rallies, which were held in Punjab and Sindh provinces on October 16 and 18, respectively.
The rally leaders accuse the military establishment of interference in civilian affairs. They alleged that Prime Minister Imran Khan was brought to power by the military through a rigged vote in July 2018. Both the government and the military deny the allegations.
Pakistan Lawmaker Detained Ahead Of Opposition Rally
Editors' Picks
Afghanistan/Pakistan Trending
1
European Commission To Suspend Visa-Free Travel For Georgian Diplomats
2Tanker Seized By US Off Venezuela Was Part Of Iranian Shadow Fleet
3Brussels Adds New Names To Blacklist In Latest Russia Sanctions Package
44 Russian Soldiers Sentenced For Killing Of American Fighting For Moscow In Ukraine
5Three Chinese Nationals Killed In Afghan-Tajik Border Attack On Gold Mining Camp
6Tehran Pollution Hits 'Alarming' Level In Latest Environmental Crisis
7NATO Chief Rutte Tells RFE: 'Thoughtful Dialogue' Needed On Ukraine
8Romanian Mayor Says His Village Now 'Part Of The War' Amid Russian Drone Incursions
9EU Holds Talks On China's Support For Russia, Including Possible Weapons Transfers
10In Stark Warning, NATO's Rutte Says Alliance Is 'Russia's Next Target'
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
