Pakistan embassy in UAE warns its citizens against staging protests

Advisory comes after Pakistan’s government warning to former prime minister Imran Khan not to hold rally in Islamabad

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  A supporter of the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party holds up a placard as people gather around a truck carrying PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in Pakistan's capital Islamabad. AFP

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  PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, centre, leads an anti-government rally in Islamabad. AP Photo

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  The PPP is demanding that Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan step down over his management of the country's economy. AFP

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  Security forces at the rally. It follows a formal no-confidence motion against Mr Khan that was submitted to Parliament by the opposition, led by the PPP. AFP

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  PPP supporters at the rally. The formal request requires Mr Khan to seek a parliamentary vote of confidence. AFP

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  Should Mr Khan fail to win approval, Parliament will have to choose a new prime minister. AP Photo

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  PPP leader Mr Bhutto Zardari, centre, at the rally. The opposition needs a simple majority of 172 and says it requires only 11 more votes to force Mr Khan out. EPA

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  PPP supporters first assembled in the eastern city of Lahore, capital of Punjab province, on Sunday and took to the road. AFP

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  PPP protesters in Islamabad. On Tuesday, they set out at noon in hundreds of cars and buses from Rawat, a town in Punjab province, and reached the outskirts of Islamabad hours later. AFP

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  Mr Khan has remained defiant, claiming he still enjoys the backing of the majority of politicians. AP Photo

Pakistan's embassy in the UAE has warned its citizens against staging protests in the Emirates.

Any kind of procession or protest is illegal, and any misuse or out of context activity on social media is also prohibited, the embassy said in an advisory issued on Tuesday.

It comes weeks after the removal of former prime minister Imran Khan, when he lost a no-confidence vote on his leadership.

“This is to bring to the notice of all Pakistanis based in the UAE that as per local laws, any kind of procession or protest is illegal,” said the advisory issued by the embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.

“All Pakistanis are advised to abide by the local laws and refrain from involving in any such activity.”

On Tuesday, Pakistan’s government issued a stark warning to Mr Khan, saying that his supporters will not be able to hold a political rally in Islamabad on Wednesday after a policeman was shot dead.

In 2018, Mr Khan was voted in by an electorate weary of the dynastic politics of the country's two major parties, with the popular former sports star promising to sweep away decades of entrenched corruption and cronyism.

He was brought down in part by his failure to rectify the country's economic problems, including its crippling debt, shrinking foreign currency reserves and soaring inflation.