Imran Khan Supporters March on Pakistan's Capital Amid Deadlocked Talks

Supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan have launched a march from Pakistan's northwest towards the capital, Islamabad, calling for his release and improved medical access. The demonstration, involving approximately 5,000 people from the city of Lakki Marwat, began Sunday with participants carrying flags of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and a truck displaying a large "release Imran Khan" billboard.

Concerns about the 73-year-old Khan's health have intensified in recent months, with his supporters asserting he is not receiving adequate medical care. The march, initially planned for the previous week, was postponed to allow for government-PTI negotiations, which have since concluded without resolution.

Sohail Afridi, chief minister for the PTI-governed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, anticipates the convoy will reach a town approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) west of Islamabad by Thursday. "[By then] this movement will have reached every corner of the country and every square will have become a centre of activity," Afridi stated Sunday, encouraging public participation.

Authorities in Islamabad have preemptively deployed shipping containers to obstruct key entry points to the capital. The PTI reported that negotiations failed due to the government's refusal to grant party leaders access to Khan for consultations on national and political matters. The party also demanded an immediate medical examination and treatment for Khan.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, however, accused Afridi of "sabotaging" the talks, alleging that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government reneged on prior commitments regarding counter-terrorism, according to Pakistani media.

In August, Khan was briefly moved from jail to a state-run hospital for a medical examination and treatment following concerns about his declining health. Doctors subsequently declared him "medically fit." This intervention marked the most significant judicial relief for Khan since his 2023 imprisonment on corruption charges, which he maintains are politically motivated.

Khan's family and the PTI criticized authorities for non-compliance with a court order mandating his examination at a private hospital. On September 20, Khan's sister, Aleema Khanum, was arrested in Lahore, with the arrest order citing her alleged mobilization of people to create law and order issues and chant slogans against the government.

Khan, who led Pakistan as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, was incarcerated in August 2023. He faces over 100 cases, including charges of leaking state secrets and selling state gifts, all of which he disputes as politically motivated. He and his wife, Bushra Bibi, received 17-year sentences late last year. His imprisonment led to widespread protests by his supporters, met with a government crackdown.

Despite his incarceration, Khan remains a prominent figure in Pakistani politics with a substantial following. Former international cricket captains have appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging that Khan be provided with proper medical care.