Pakistan government says won't allow Imran to hold protest in Islamabad

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan said Imran wanted to spread "chaos and disorder" and the government was determined to stop his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from holding its protest.

"The federal government has decided not to allow PTI to hold its long march towards Islamabad and participants of the long march will be stopped," he said in a tweet later.

Imran, speaking to the media in Peshawar city, said the march for Pakistan's "real freedom" will be held as planned and he would himself lead a procession from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province.

The PTI, which lost power in a vote of no-confidence in April, wants a date for fresh general elections to be announced immediately.

Imran asked people to reach Islamabad in large numbers despite a crackdown against PTI members.

"It's a defining moment for Pakistan," Imran said, asking his supporters not to fear Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's "imported government."

"All citizens must be prepared to make sacrifices for real freedom," said Imran, who insists that his ouster was part of an American plot to control Pakistan's affairs.

As part of their efforts to foil Imran's march, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government in Sindh province and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) administration in Punjab have announced restrictions on public gatherings.

While the PTI was defeated in a power struggle in the Punjab legislature recently, it still governs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, making the northwestern region crucial for Imran's political campaign.

It is expected a large number of people will march with Imran from KPK on the way to Islamabad.