Supporters of Imran Khan start march on locked-down Islamabad

Pakistani authorities insist marchers calling for former PM to be released from jail will not reach the capital

Imran Khan’s supporters have begun a march to Islamabad to demand his release from jail after efforts by the government to halt the protest failed.

Concerns have grown over the health of the 74-year-old former Pakistan cricket captain who has been in prison since 2023. Party colleagues and family claim he is being held in solitary confinement and has been denied visits by his doctor or relatives despite having a serious eye condition and high blood pressure.

Two rounds of negotiations between the government and PTI leaders took place over the weekend but broke down when Khan’s allies insisted that he be part of political talks.

Attaullah Tarar, the information minister, accused the PTI of “double standards and hypocrisy”.

The march is being led by the province’s chief minister, Sohail Afridi, who described those taking part as “Imran Khan’s soldiers”.

“I call upon you all to come out, the youngsters to come out for the sake ​of your leader who is sitting in jail,” he said.

Khan is widely considered the country’s most popular politician, while the ruling coalition government, which is backed by the military, is facing discontent over an economic crisis and a surge in terrorism.

Tens of thousands of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed to Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa last week, raising fears that Khan’s supporters will be met with state violence. Government politicians falsely claimed that the PTI was allowing militants from the Pakistan Taliban to take part in the march.