Islamabad: Pakistani opposition leader Imran Khan accused the government on Friday of placing him under virtual house arrest in Islamabad as his supporters in nearby Rawalpindi fought running battles with the police.

Police used tear gas and batons against rock-throwing protesters in Rawalpindi, 20 kilometres from Islamabad, as both sides prepared for Mr Khan's plan to shut down the capital next week to force Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to resign.

There was no immediate report of injuries and the violence eased as darkness fell, but a handful of protesters defying a ban on public gatherings continued to clash with police.

Police also fired tear gas and clashed with protesters near Mr Khan's house in Islamabad.