Thousands of Imran Khan supporters march towards Pakistan's barricaded capital

Thousands of Imran Khan supporters commenced their journey on Sunday, embarking on an 80-kilometer trip to Islamabad, a journey that will span several days. Approximately 5,000 supporters are en route from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, holds power. Organizers anticipate rallying hundreds of thousands of supporters along the way, aiming to secure Khan's release from prison and facilitate his transfer to a hospital for medical treatment and family visits.

Government officials maintain that Khan does not require hospitalization and that he already receives regular visits. In August, Pakistan's Supreme Court ruled that Khan should be moved to a civilian hospital, but he was returned to prison after a brief stay at a government-run medical facility. Despite being imprisoned since 2023, Khan remains a prominent figure in Pakistan, with his followers convinced that his imprisonment is a result of political persecution.

Khan served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, during which time he faced charges of corruption, treason, and inciting violence following anti-government protests in May 2023. His supporters also claim the 2024 election that returned Shehbaz Sharif to power was rigged—an accusation the government denies. James Dorsey, a professor at the National University of Singapore, described Khan as a populist leader with a genuine popular movement that enjoys broad support.

He believes the government is determined to prevent protesters from entering Islamabad, citing security concerns related to Pakistan's unresolved war with Afghanistan. The march, initially scheduled for September 27, was postponed due to ongoing negotiations aimed at resolving the political standoff between the government and Khan's PTI.

However, talks have failed, leading to the march's commencement. PTI Chairman Gohar Khan stated that negotiations have remained deadlocked after two rounds, and supporters now plan to hold rallies at overnight stops during the four or five-day march. Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi blamed the march organizer, Sohail Afridi, for the breakdown in negotiations, warning that he will be held responsible for any loss of life during the protest.

Past protests by Khan's supporters have turned violent, resulting in the deaths of security personnel and civilians. Pakistan has also experienced a surge in terror attacks in recent months, prompting the Sharif government to cite these incidents as reasons for delaying the march. The government accuses Khan's PTI of sympathizing with the Pakistani Taliban, a claim the party rejects as a baseless smear campaign.