Supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan have commenced a march towards Islamabad, calling for his release from prison. The protest began on Sunday in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a stronghold of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, according to party leaders. This development follows unsuccessful government efforts to stop the demonstration.
The march is being led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Chief Minister, Sohail Afridi, who urged participants to join for their leader. Thousands of supporters had joined the protest by Monday afternoon, with crowds expected to grow en route to Peshawar, the main city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which marchers are anticipated to reach by Wednesday.
Concerns have been raised about the health of the 74-year-old former cricket captain, who has been imprisoned since 2023. Party colleagues and family claim he is being held in solitary confinement and denied visits from his doctor or relatives, despite reportedly suffering from a serious eye condition and high blood pressure.
The government has taken measures to prevent the march, including shutting down Islamabad and barricading its entrances with shipping containers and sandbags. Last week, Khan's three sisters were among those detained on national security grounds. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has accused the PTI of "double standards and hypocrisy."
Ministers have declared the march illegal and stated that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure it does not breach the capital's boundaries. Tens of thousands of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed to Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa last week. Opposition leaders reportedly fear the prime minister may impose emergency rule on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to halt the march.