2 hrs ago
Imran Khan Supporters March Toward Islamabad as Government Blocks Entry
Thousands of people who support Imran Khan began walking toward Pakistan’s capital to ask for his release.
Khan used to be Pakistan’s prime minister and is now in prison.
The march started in a province governed by his political party.
The march was delayed while the government and the party tried to talk, but the talks did not succeed.
The government says it will stop the marchers from entering Islamabad.
It has blocked roads with shipping containers and sent police and paramilitary personnel to the area.
The two sides disagree about why their talks failed.
Khan’s party says the cases against him are politically motivated, while the government points to court proceedings.
The march’s leaders said it would travel toward Khairabad before deciding on further steps.
Thousands of supporters of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf began a march Sunday in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa demanding his release.
The march was postponed from September 27 after the government offered talks, which stalled over the weekend.
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said the march would head toward Khairabad, about 80 kilometres west of Islamabad, by Thursday.
Authorities placed shipping containers on routes into Islamabad and deployed police and paramilitary personnel; the government said marchers would not be allowed into the capital.
The government and PTI gave conflicting accounts of why negotiations failed, while the party and Khan’s legal team reject the charges against him as politically motivated.
- Who
- Supporters of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
- What
- A march demanding Khan’s release, which the government says will not be allowed to enter Islamabad.
- Where
- It began in Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and was planned to proceed toward Khairabad and Islamabad.
- When
- The march began Sunday, October 4, 2026; its original planned date was September 27.
- Why
- Supporters are demanding Khan’s release; PTI also cited demands including access to his doctor during negotiations.
PTI and Khan’s supporters
Government and authorities
March and entry into Islamabad
PTI and Khan’s supporters
PTI supporters are marching to demand Khan’s release and have called for constitutional supremacy and the rule of law.
Government and authorities
The government says marchers will not be allowed into Islamabad and says protests should not disrupt business in the capital.
Why negotiations failed
PTI and Khan’s supporters
PTI said the government tried to pressure the party into unfair concessions; its demands reportedly included access to Khan by his doctor.
Government and authorities
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said talks broke down because PTI would not cooperate on a counter-terrorism policy for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Khan’s imprisonment and charges
PTI and Khan’s supporters
Khan and his legal team describe the cases against him as politically motivated and aimed at weakening his popularity.
Government and authorities
The military and civilian government deny that Khan is a political prisoner and point to the independence of Pakistan’s judiciary.
Key facts
- Party
- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)
- March began
- Sunday, October 4, 2026, in Lakki Marwat
- Original march date
- September 27
- Planned route
- Toward Khairabad, about 80 kilometres west of Islamabad, by Thursday
- Government response
- Authorities blocked access routes with shipping containers and deployed police and paramilitary personnel
- Negotiations
- Talks between the government and PTI representatives stalled over the weekend
- Khan’s legal cases
- He faces charges including corruption, treason and inciting violence; PTI and his legal team reject the allegations
Quotes
Sohail Afridi
Chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and leader of the march.
“I call upon you all to come out, the youngsters to come out for the sake of your leader who is sitting in jail.”
telegraphindia.com
“It's a problem for the government, but I don't think it's an existential threat.”
NDTV
Tim Willasey-Wilsey
Geopolitics expert with the UK-based Royal United Services Institute.
“Day-to-day life has become a real struggle for ordinary Pakistanis in recent years.”
NDTV
Sources
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