INTERNATIONAL: Pakistan's government on Wednesday (May 25) stepped up security around Islamabad after ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan urged his supporters to march towards the capital, as a political and economic crisis deepens in the South Asian nation.

Authorities placed shipping containers on roads and blocked routes leading towards the city's Red Zone, which is home to many Western embassies, the Supreme Court and government ministries. Heavy contingents from police and paramilitary troops have also been deployed.

“A peaceful protest is everyone’s right. These people (in government) had been protesting in the past but these roads were not blocked. If they would block the road, they would keep at least one lane open so that people could travel,” said Ehsan Ullah, as he moved his motorcycle across a road divider to head back in the opposite direction.

Pakistan's government on Tuesday (May 24) had banned the planned protest march by Khan, who is demanding fresh elections, officials said. It came hours after a policeman was shot and killed during a crackdown on Khan's supporters across the country.