Pakistanis have been urged to come onto the streets at noon Friday amid blaring sirens and renditions of the national anthem, as Imran Khan called for a mass display of solidarity with Kashmir.

Sirens and the national anthem will be sounded at midday to summon people out of their homes and workplaces to mark what will become a weekly “Kashmir hour”, the military's information wing has said.

The mass demonstrations are being staged protest against Delhi's abolition of autonomy for Indian-administered Kashmir.

Indian forces have imposed a strict curfew and communications blackout to try to snuff out protest in the territory.

The former cricketer said: “We must send a strong message to Kashmiris that our nation stands resolutely behind them. So I am asking all Pakistanis for half an hour tomorrow stop whatever you are doing and come out on the road to show solidarity with the Kashmiri people.”