Thousands of supporters of Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan have begun a march toward the capital, Islamabad, calling for his release. The demonstration started in Lakki Marwat and paused overnight before resuming. Originally scheduled for last week, the march was delayed to allow for negotiations between the government and Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
These talks ultimately ended in a deadlock. The PTI accused authorities of refusing to grant access to Imran Khan so that party leaders could consult him on pressing national and political issues. The party also demanded an immediate medical examination and treatment for Khan, citing growing concerns about his health. His family has publicly stated that he has lost most of his vision in his right eye due to prison authorities failing to act on medical complaints.
Imran Khan, who previously captained the Pakistan national cricket team, served as the country’s prime minister from 2018 to 2022. He faces charges ranging from leaking state secrets to selling state gifts. His wife, Bushra Bibi, was also jailed. In August, Khan was briefly transferred to a state-run hospital for a medical assessment, after which doctors declared him medically fit. However, his family and the PTI criticized the government for defying a court order requiring a private hospital examination.
On 20 September, Khan’s sister, Aleema Khanum, was arrested in Lahore for allegedly mobilizing public protests and raising objectionable slogans. The arrest order cited her role in organizing demonstrations against the government. The PTI has maintained that Khan’s imprisonment is politically motivated, and former international cricket captains have repeatedly urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure he receives proper medical care.
Protests following Khan’s arrest in May 2023 turned violent, with supporters ransacking the corps commander’s residence in Lahore, destroying furniture, paintings, and even peacocks. At least eight people died in the unrest, prompting the military to intervene. The march now reflects a broader political divide in Pakistan, with Khan remaining a central figure in public life despite being behind bars.
Senior PTI leaders, including Sohail Afridi, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, believe the movement will reach every corner of the country by Thursday. He stated that by then, every square in the nation will become a center of political activity. Authorities in Islamabad have responded by stacking shipping containers to block key access routes to the capital. Government officials have accused Afridi of ‘sabotaging’ negotiations over counter-terrorism issues, claiming the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government failed to uphold prior commitments.
Supporters carry red-and-green flags of the PTI party, symbolizing the party’s enduring influence. The demonstration underscores public concern about Khan’s health and the treatment he receives while in custody. The outcome of the march and the government’s response could significantly influence political developments in Pakistan in the coming days.
For more on political developments in Pakistan, see the BBC’s coverage of the situation.
Sources & further reading
AI-generated illustration.
-
-
- TIL Metal Gear Solid 4 (2008) holds the world record for the longest cutscene in any video game, with a single continuous cutscene of 71 minutes and a total of over 8 hours of cutscenes
-
