5,000 march in Pakistan demanding release of jailed Imran Khan

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Islamabad,: More than 5,000 supporters of jailed former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan have begun a march towards Islamabad, demanding his release after negotiations between his party and the government failed.

The protest, organised by Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), began in Lakki Marwat in the north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Sunday. The march was expected to resume around midday on Monday after stopping overnight.

The demonstration had initially been planned for September 27 but was postponed to allow talks between the government and PTI leaders. Two rounds of negotiations over the weekend failed to reach an agreement.

PTI said the talks broke down after the government rejected its demand for access to Khan so party leaders could consult him on political and national issues. The party also called for an immediate medical examination and treatment for the former prime minister.

Khan, 73, has been in prison since 2023 and faces more than 100 cases. He has repeatedly said the charges against him are politically motivated. Most of his convictions have been suspended or overturned on appeal, although he remains behind bars.

His family and party have raised concerns about his health, including claims that he has lost much of the vision in his right eye. Khan was briefly moved to a government hospital in August for medical tests and treatment and was later declared medically fit.

The government has accused Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, a PTI leader, of undermining negotiations. Afridi said he expected the march to reach an area about 80km west of Islamabad by Thursday.

Authorities have placed shipping containers on key roads leading into Islamabad in preparation for the protest.