On Sunday, approximately 5,000 supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan departed from the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, initiating an 80-kilometer (50-mile) journey to the capital, Islamabad. The convoy, comprising buses, cars, and trucks, is expected to take several days to complete, with organizers anticipating the gathering will swell to hundreds of thousands as it progresses.
The protest aims to pressure authorities to secure Khan’s release from prison and facilitate his transfer to a civilian medical facility for treatment and family visits. Government officials have dismissed these claims, asserting that Khan does not require hospitalization and is already receiving regular family visits. This comes after Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered Khan’s move to a civilian hospital in August, only for authorities to return him to detention following a brief stay at a government-run medical center.
Despite being incarcerated since August 2023, Khan retains significant influence among his followers, who view his imprisonment as politically motivated. The former cricket star, who served as prime minister from August 2018 until he was ousted by a no-confidence vote in April 2022, faces multiple charges including corruption, treason, and incitement of violence related to anti-government protests in May 2023. His supporters also allege that the 2024 elections, which returned Shehbaz Sharif to power, were rigged—an accusation the government denies.
James Dorsey, a scholar at the National University of Singapore, described Khan as a populist leader backed by a genuine popular movement. He noted that while the government remains determined to prevent protesters from entering Islamabad, security concerns arising from Pakistan’s unresolved February 2026 conflict with Afghanistan likely compel authorities to avoid escalation. Dorsey characterized the march as a political problem for the government but not an existential threat.
The march was originally scheduled for September 27 but was postponed following negotiations between the Sharif government and Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. Gohar Khan, the PTI chairman, stated that two rounds of talks ended in deadlock. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi blamed PTI provincial chief minister Sohail Afridi for the collapse of negotiations and warned that he would be held accountable for any casualties during the protest.
Prior demonstrations by Khan’s supporters have turned violent, resulting in deaths among both security personnel and civilians in 2024. The Sharif administration has also pointed to a recent resurgence of terror attacks, attributing them to sympathizers of the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. The PTI rejects these allegations as baseless smear campaigns.
It’s sad to see a popular movement divided by political maneuvering. Both sides blame each other, but who really suffers?
An 80km march with thousands backing it is no small protest. Islamabad might be busier than expected once they arrive.
Will the authorities finally listen or just clamp down harder? The people’s demand for a civilian hospital transfer feels legitimate given his health.
This escalating tension between PTI and the government seems dangerous, especially with the recent border conflict adding fuel to the fire.