Pakistan capital locked down, phone service suspended to stop rally by party of ex-leader Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani authorities placed shipping containers on key roads and highways leading to the capital and suspended cellphone service in Islamabad on Friday in an attempt to prevent supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan from holding a rally seeking his release.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government also deployed paramilitary rangers and additional police and shut schools in Islamabad and the nearby city of Rawalpindi after Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party refused to withdraw its call for the protest.

Videos posted online showed police placing shipping containers on bridges and roads on a key highway near the northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where Khan's party holds power. Officials said the provincial government mobilized heavy machinery to remove the blockades. Khan's supporters plan to march from the province to Islamabad, defying a ban on rallies imposed this week.

Police reportedly arrested some party supporters from Islamabad and swung batons and used tear gas to prevent the rallygoers from entering the capital from the northwest, according to video posed by PTI on social media.

Khan, Sharif's main political rival, has been in prison for more than a year in connection with more than 150 police cases. He remains a popular figure despite the cases, which critics and his party say are politically motivated. He was ousted in 2022 through a no-confidence vote in Parliament and arrested in 2023 after a court handed him a 3-year jail sentence in a graft case.

The suspension of cellphone service in Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Friday disrupted communications and affected basic services such as online banking, ride and food delivery services. Many people faced difficulties traveling because of the obstacles placed on the roads.

On Thursday, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told Khan's party to cancel the planned protest and warned that there would be "no leniency” if the ban on protests is defied.

He told reporters in Islamabad Friday that armed supporters of Khan were marching on Islamabad. “They should think what they are going to do with Pakistan by marching on Islamabad with weapons,” he said. “I am very clear that they are going launch an assault on Islamabad,” Naqvi said.

He said the government would not allow anyone to cause damage in the country.

Khan’s spokesman, Zulfiqar Bukhari, rejected the government’s demand to withdraw the call for the protest, saying it was their constitutional right to hold a peaceful rally.

A message on Khan's social media account urged supporters to join the protest.

“The tyrants in power want to terrorize us," it said. "So go forth fearlessly, and remember if you still hesitate, to step forward and truly liberate yourself.”

Sharif's government says Khan's party wants to weaken the country's economy by staging violent protests despite the threat posed by the Pakistani Taliban, who have stepped up attacks in recent years.

Pakistan, which recently received a $7 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund, has been struggling to overcome an economic crisis.

On Friday, supporters of Khan gathered in Swabi, a city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, to begin a march toward Islamabad.

Provincial Chief Minister Ali Amin Gundapur, who led a large rally last month near Islamabad demanding Khan's release, planned to join the march.

Khan reported from Peshawar, Pakistan.

Security personnel detain supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

Security personnel detain supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.(AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

Police officers fire tear gas to disperse the supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.(AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

Security personnel detain supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.(AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

Police officers fire tear gas to disperse the supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.(AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

Security personnel detain supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

Police officers fire tear gas to disperse the supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.(AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

Security personnel detain supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

Police officers fire tear gas to disperse the supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.(AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

Security personnel detain supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.(AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

Supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chant slogans asking for the release of Imran Khan during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.(AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

Police officers fire tear gas to disperse the supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.(AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

Security personnel detain supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.(AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

Police officers fire tear gas to disperse the supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

Police officers fire tear gas to disperse the supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.(AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

Supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chant slogans and ask for the release of Imran Khan during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.(AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

Security personnel detain supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.(AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

Police officers assemble next to shipping containers placed by authorities to block a road leading to important government buildings in an attempt to prevent supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan from holding a rally seeking his release in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

Shipping containers placed by authorities block a key highway to capital city in an attempt to prevent supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan from holding a rally seeking his release in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

Police officers assemble next to shipping containers placed by authorities to block a road leading to important government buildings in an attempt to prevent supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan from holding a rally seeking his release in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

Shipping containers placed by authorities block a key highway to capital city in an attempt to prevent supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan from holding a rally seeking his release in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

Shipping containers placed by authorities block a key highway to capital city in an attempt to prevent supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan from holding a rally seeking his release in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

Police officers assemble next to shipping containers placed by authorities to block a road leading to important government buildings in an attempt to prevent supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan from holding a rally seeking his release in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

Police officers assemble next to shipping containers placed by authorities to block a road leading to important government buildings in an attempt to prevent supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan from holding a rally seeking his release in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.. (AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

Police officers assemble next to shipping containers placed by authorities to block a road leading to important government buildings in an attempt to prevent supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan from holding a rally seeking his release in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.(AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

Shipping containers placed by authorities block a key highway to capital city in an attempt to prevent supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan from holding a rally seeking his release in Islamabad, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai)

DETROIT (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris will visit the union stronghold of Flint, Michigan, on Friday as she battles with Donald Trump for working-class voters who could tip the scales in this year's election.

Her appearance in the battleground state comes the day after U.S. dockworkers suspended their strike in hopes of reaching a new contract, sparing the country a damaging episode of labor unrest that could have rattled the economy. A tentative agreement was reached to raise salaries, although other issues still need to be resolved.

Harris issued a statement saying the development “indicates progress toward a strong contract and represents the power of collective bargaining.” She added that “dockworkers deserve a fair share for their hard work getting essential goods out to communities across America.”

Unions have long been a bedrock of support for Democrats, but Harris has failed to secure some key endorsements. The International Association of Fire Fighters announced this week that it wouldn't back a candidate this year, following a similar announcement from the Teamsters. Both unions endorsed Joe Biden four years ago.

It's not a total cold shoulder for Harris. Some Teamsters locals are supporting her, and she won quick endorsements from national teachers unions, the building trades, the AFL-CIO and the United Auto Workers after replacing Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket.

But the divide within the labor community is a reminder of shifting loyalties in American politics. Democrats have increased their support among white-collar professionals while Republicans try to make inroads among voters who didn’t attend college.

During a rally in Saginaw, Michigan on Thursday, Trump claimed that Republicans are now “the party of the American worker,” glossing over his anti-union record as president. In a reference to labor unrest at the country’s ports, he insisted that “under my leadership Americans won’t have to go on strike for a better wage or a better life.”

The former president also made a trip to Flint last month in an event billed as focusing on the auto industry, a pillar of the battleground state. The two candidates have been in the same cities — and in some cases the exact same venues — within days or weeks of each other.

Trump is heading to Georgia on Friday to appear with Gov. Brian Kemp, the latest sign that he's patched up his rocky relationship with the top Republican in a key battleground state. Later in the day, he’s holding a campaign event in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Union voters have traditionally leaned toward Democrats, with 56% supporting Biden in 2020. But Trump has pushed hard to win over blue-collar workers traditionally represented by some of the biggest unions. He won 62% of white voters without college degrees — though only 24% of non-white voters without college degrees — in 2020.

It’s frustrating for Democrats, who point to the White House’s firm support for unions. Biden even joined a UAW picket line last year.

Lisa Anderson, 59, drove more than an hour from Green Bay in her green “AFSCME for Harris-Walz” shirt to hear the vice president speak Thursday in Wisconsin.

She’s been an elementary school administrative assistant for 17 years, and she’s confident that Harris’ union support runs deep.

“I’m not worried about it,” Anderson said. “If you’re voting for Trump, how can you believe in unions?” AFSCME is the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Labor relations could have been a dominant issue in the closing weeks of the presidential campaign if the dockworkers strike continued, leading to snarled ports and shortages on store shelves.

Biden expressed satisfaction that a deal was being worked out.

“We’ve been working hard on it," he said at the White House. "With the grace of God, and the goodwill of neighbors, it’s gonna hold.”

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event at the Ryder Center at Saginaw Valley State University, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in University Center, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris waves as she departs after speaking at a campaign rally at Ripon College, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Ripon, Wis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)