At the top of a winding road in the hills of Islamabad, deep in the backyard of a private home, dozens of people gather and wait for a political rally to start, waving a few red and green flags.
Days before a national election, this is how the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party is campaigning following a crackdown from authorities: quietly.
“I am doing my best, but there is hindrance on behalf of the police, on behalf of the administration,” said Shoaib Shaheen, a candidate and PTI’s former lawyer, as he arrived at the gathering.
“Threats to our candidates, and threats to our supporters
