Approximately 5,000 demonstrators carrying red-and-green Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) flags departed from Lakki Marwat on Sunday, beginning a multi-day procession toward Islamabad. The convoy includes a truck displaying a large banner demanding the release of Imran Khan, the country’s imprisoned former prime minister.
The march, which had been delayed by a week to facilitate negotiations between the ruling government and PTI leadership, proceeded after those talks collapsed. Sohail Afridi, the chief minister of the PTI-governed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, stated that the protesters expect to reach a town roughly 80km west of the capital by Thursday. He urged citizens to engage actively in the political process, claiming the movement would spread to every corner of the nation.
Participants paused overnight in Karak and resumed their journey on Monday. In anticipation of the arrival, authorities in Islamabad have placed shipping containers across key access routes to the city.
The PTI attributed the failure of negotiations to the government’s refusal to allow party leaders to consult with Khan on national and political matters. Additionally, the party insisted that Khan receive an immediate medical examination, citing concerns over his health. Afridi, in turn, accused the interior ministry of sabotaging discussions, alleging that the provincial government had previously reneged on counter-terrorism commitments.
Khan, 73, was sentenced to 17 years in prison late last year on corruption charges that he maintains are politically motivated. His detention has sparked widespread protests since August 2023. In August, he was briefly moved to a state-run hospital for treatment following health complaints, where doctors declared him fit, though the PTI criticized the move for bypassing a court order requiring an examination at a specific private facility.
Tensions have further escalated with the arrest of Khan’s sister, Aleema Khanum, in Lahore on September 20. Authorities alleged she was inciting unrest and chanting slogans against the government. Meanwhile, former international cricket captains have issued appeals to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, calling for proper medical attention for the former cricket star and head of state.
I’m just amazed the march actually started after the talks collapsed. I expected another delay, but here we are.
Shipping containers blocking roads? That’s not crowd control, that’s preparing for war. Hope they think this through.