// BBC WORLD NEWS — MONDO
Pakistan has locked down Imran Khan's stronghold - but it could backfire
Thousands of Khan's supporters have been rallying for days throughout the province demanding his release
Schools closed. The internet partially shut. Roads blocked by shipping containers. And the army arriving in town.
Imran Khan's party stronghold, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is under a state of emergency, his party's provincial government suspended. It's another dramatic escalation in the standoff between the former prime minister's supporters and Pakistan's state - and one that some fear could lead to more instability, not less.
According to the federal government this step, allowed by the constitution, was needed to provide protection for the province's population from the threat of terror.
"The PTI KPK government was hand in glove with the terrorists," Attah Tarrar, federal information minister, told journalists on Sunday. He did not elaborate or provide evidence, but promised to do so soon.
Two days later there had still been no update from him - but schools had reopened in Peshawar and most parts of the province, and internet services had been restored.
While police would not confirm any detentions, there is clearly a crackdown under way to prevent protests. Most PTI leaders in the province have gone into hiding.
On Tuesday dozens of PTI supporters took to the streets in Bara, Khyber district, hometown of provincial Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. There were reports of tear gas shelling in the area.
The imposition of emergency rule in Imran Khan's stronghold has escalated tensions with his supporters
To many observers, the timing of Sunday's announcement of emergency rule is not coincidental.