The situation on the ground
Thousands of supporters of jailed politician Imran Khan have launched a march from the country’s northwest, calling for his release. Around 5,000 people were spotted on Sunday carrying the red and green flags of Khan’s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The march kicked off in Lakki Marwat, roughly 275km from Islamabad, and is expected to reach a town about 80km from the capital by Thursday.
Why it’s popping off
Khan, the 74-year-old cricket star-turned-politician, has been behind bars since August 2023. He is currently facing over 100 cases, ranging from corruption and selling state gifts to leaking state secrets. He maintains that the whole situation is politically motivated.
Recently, the vibes have been off regarding his health. His family claims he has lost most of his vision in his right eye, with the PTI accusing prison authorities of failing to provide proper care. While he was briefly moved to a state-run hospital in August, officials claimed he was “medically fit,” a move his family criticized for ignoring court orders for a private exam.
The political deadlock
Negotiations between the government and the PTI completely collapsed, leading to this march. The party says they tried to talk, but authorities refused to let them access Khan to consult on national issues. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi pushed back, accusing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi of sabotage.
In the meantime, the government is playing it safe, stacking shipping containers to block key roads into Islamabad. It’s giving major lockdown energy.
Why it matters
Khan remains a massive player in Pakistani politics even while locked up. Past protests in his support turned into an absolute L, resulting in violent clashes—including the ransacking of a military commander’s home in 2023—that left at least eight people dead. With the government and the PTI currently at a stalemate, everyone is watching to see if this protest remains peaceful or if things get messy again.
