About 5,000 supporters of former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan have taken to the streets on Sunday, marching toward the capital Islamabad to demand his release.
Concerns over the 73‑year‑old’s health have intensified after his family claimed that he lost most of his vision in his right eye due to inadequate prison medical care.
Imran Khan, who was jailed for 17 years last year on corruption charges, has long alleged that the cases against him are politically motivated. He faces more than 100 indictments, including accusations of leaking state secrets and selling state gifts.
Despite being behind bars, Khan remains a powerful figure in Pakistan’s politics, and his detention sparked large‑scale, violent protests in 2023 that left eight dead and required the army to intervene.
The Sunday march, which began in Lakki Marwat, 275 km from Islamabad, paused overnight for rest. It is expected to resume on Monday midday, with authorities in Islamabad blocking key routes by stacking shipping containers.
PTI officials say talks between the government and the party failed because authorities denied the PTI request for access to Khan so that its leaders could consult him on national issues. The party also demanded an immediate medical examination and treatment for Khan.
Sohail Afridi, chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, predicts the march will reach a town about 80 km west of Islamabad by Thursday and urges citizens to play an active role in the political process.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has accused Afridi of sabotaging negotiations, alleging that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government failed to meet earlier counter‑terrorism commitments.
In August, Khan was briefly transferred from jail to a state‑run hospital for medical examination, after which doctors deemed him “medically fit.” However, the PTI and Khan’s family criticized the authorities for refusing a court order to have him examined at a private hospital.
The march reflects continuing tensions between Khan’s supporters and the Pakistani government, amid calls from former cricket captains and others for proper medical care for the imprisoned former prime minister.
