Imran Khan supporters march toward Islamabad demanding his release

Thousands of supporters of jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan have begun a march toward the capital, Islamabad, to demand his release. The demonstration, organized by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, commenced on Sunday in Lakki Marwat, located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The marchers, many carrying the party’s red and green flags, are traveling in convoys as they move from the country's northwest.

The protest was originally scheduled for late September but was postponed to allow for negotiations between the government and the PTI. These talks ultimately ended in a deadlock, prompting the party to proceed with the demonstration. Sohail Afridi, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, confirmed the march would continue, with expectations that the group will reach a town approximately 80 kilometers west of Islamabad by Thursday.

Imran Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 and faces charges in more than 100 cases, ranging from corruption and the sale of state gifts to the leaking of state secrets. Khan, who maintains that all charges against him are politically motivated, was sentenced to 17 years for corruption. His wife, Bushra Bibi, was also jailed last year, and the recent arrest of Khan’s three sisters has further contributed to rising tensions.

Concerns regarding Khan's welfare have intensified in recent months. His family and supporters have raised alarms over his medical treatment, with claims that he has lost most of the vision in his right eye due to a lack of proper care in prison. Reports on the former prime minister's age vary, with some accounts citing him as 73 and others as 74.

Authorities in Islamabad have spent weeks preparing for the potential arrival of the demonstrators. Previous protests in support of the former leader have resulted in significant crackdowns and instances of deadly violence. As the current march progresses, the government and the opposition remain at an impasse regarding the legal status and detention of the former prime minister.