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
Why Does Trump Want Afghanistan's Bagram Air Base Returned To US Control?
2Trump Threatens Afghanistan If Bagram Base Not Handed Back To US
3Taliban's Internet Ban Threatens Afghan Women's Livelihoods And Education
4Afghan Taliban Claims Prisoner Exchange With US Is Imminent
5Afghanistan In Massive Internet Shutdown Amid Taliban 'Morality' Crackdown
6Communications Restored In Afghanistan After 2-Day Blackout
7Trump Says US Is Seeking To 'Get Back' Bagram Base Amid Taliban Rule
8After Internet Restored, Afghans Recount ‘Being Suffocated’ During Blackout
9Afghan Children In Pakistan Fear Taliban Schools If Forced Home
10This Afghan Teen Is The Sole Survivor From His Family After Deadly Earthquake
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.