• Members of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) are slated to hold a protest outside the National Press Club in Islamabad at 17:00 (local time) on May 20.  
• The protest is being held in response to the alleged Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) strikes by the Pakistani military in Mir Ali Town of North Waziristan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province on May 19 that reportedly killed four minors. 

1. The turnout at the slated demonstration is expected to range in the high dozens to low hundreds, based on the participation trends of previous protests by the group, coupled with the mobilizing capabilities of the PTM. An elevated attendance is expected by likeminded groups from minority communities, considering the sensitivities surrounding the issue. Heightened security measures in the vicinity of the National Press Club area are expected, in accordance with standard security measures. Such elevated vigilance is also informed by the government’s ban on PTM from 2024. Barricade placement and increased police deployment to monitor protest proceedings are anticipated.  
2. There remains a persistent risk of localized scuffles between the police and protesters, considering the high sensitivities regarding the perceived targeting of the Pashtun community by the Pakistani authorities. Should the protesters resort to unruly behavior such as breaching barricades and blocking major roads, the authorities are likely to employ crowd control measures like baton charges and temporary detention. Localized disruptions to vehicular traffic are expected in the vicinity of the aforementioned protest site during the protest hours on May 20 due to the anticipated turnout and associated security measures.  

Those operating or residing in Islamabad on May 20 are advised to maintain vigilance in the vicinity of the National Press Club due to the slated protest and associated risk of localized scuffles while allotting for travel disruptions.