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
Serbia Deepens Military Ties With China Through Drones, Air Defense Systems
2Several Protesters Reported Dead In Iran As Anger Builds Over Dismal Economy
3Why Are So Many Leaders Warning Of War With Russia?
4Scores Of Bodies Outside Morgue In Tehran Amid Deadly Iran Protests
5Kremlin 'Reopens' Mariupol Theater It Destroyed, But No Shows Are Scheduled
6Tanks On The Tree: Russian Military Ornaments Are Out In Force This Year
7Belarus Jailing Citizens For Supporting Ukraine's Fight Against Russia
8Costs Mount As Afghanistan-Pakistan Trade War Strands Thousands Of Trucks
9Why Israel Now Eyes Iran's Missiles Over Nukes Ahead Of Netanyahu-Trump Talks
10Shortcut To Zaporizhzhya: Russian Forces Creep Across Drained Reservoir After Dam Breach
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.