Pakistani PM urges Imran Khan’s supporters to end protest march

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on Imran Khan's supporters to halt their protest march towards Islamabad and resume negotiations with the government, according to reports from ISLAMABAD. The demonstration, which began on Sunday, was initiated to demand Khan's release from jail, following multiple rounds of talks aimed at de-escalation that ultimately failed.

Sharif urged the leadership of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to reconsider their actions, emphasizing the potential economic repercussions of the protest. He warned that the demonstration could undermine government efforts and be seen as hostile towards the state, vowing that "the law will take its course" and stressing the importance of protecting citizens' lives and property.

The situation has been tense, with authorities preparing for potential unrest, as the march was originally set for September 27 before being postponed to Sunday. Khan, a former cricket star and once immensely popular, has been in custody since August 2023, facing numerous charges, including corruption and treason, which he and his legal team contend are politically motivated and intended to suppress his influence.