Imran Khan supporters begin march towards Islamabad demanding his release

Thousands of supporters of Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister Imran Khan have begun travelling towards Islamabad in a march demanding his release and access to medical treatment. About 5,000 people from northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province set out by bus, car and truck on an 80-kilometre journey expected to take several days. Organisers hope the movement will attract hundreds of thousands of supporters at rallies along the route.

The protesters are seeking Khan’s release from prison and his transfer to a hospital, where they say he could receive treatment and regular visits from family members. Government officials say he does not need hospital care and already receives regular visits. Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023.

He remains influential within Pakistan and his supporters say his prosecution is politically motivated. He has faced corruption and treason charges and was accused of inciting violence after protests in May 2023. The former prime minister was removed from office in April 2022 after losing a no-confidence vote.

His supporters also say the 2024 election that returned Shehbaz Sharif to power was rigged, an allegation the government denies. The march followed the failure of talks between the government and Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party. PTI Chairman Gohar Khan said negotiations remained deadlocked after two rounds.

Organisers plan rallies at overnight stops during the expected four- or five-day journey. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi blamed provincial Chief Minister Sohail Afridi for the breakdown in negotiations and warned he would be responsible for any loss of life. Islamabad has erected roadblocks, while officials cite recent terrorist attacks as a reason for concern.

Past protests by Khan supporters have turned violent. The PTI rejects government claims that it sympathises with the Pakistani Taliban and calls the allegations a smear campaign.