Supporters of jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan have set off on a protest march from the country's northwest towards Islamabad after talks with the government to call off the demonstration failed, Al Jazeera reported on Sunday.
More than 5,000 people were reported to have begun the rally on Sunday, October 4. The march, organised by Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, was originally scheduled for September 27 but was postponed to October 4 to allow negotiations between the government and the PTI leadership.
Two rounds of talks fail
Two rounds of talks over the weekend failed to break the deadlock, and the PTI decided to carry out its plan — the latest attempt to pressure the government into releasing Khan, who has been behind bars since August 2023. All but one of the convictions against him have since been suspended or overturned on appeal, and his party calls them politically motivated.
Videos posted on the PTI's official social media showed supporters joining the march in different areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which the party rules, setting off in convoys. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said the march would reach Khairabad, 80 kilometres west of Islamabad, by Thursday, where the plan for the "next phase" would be announced.
Government warns of crackdown
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed on Sunday that the talks had failed, accused Afridi of "sabotaging" the negotiations, and warned the government would not allow the PTI to "create a disturbance". He cited an Islamabad High Court order of September 14 barring political parties from occupying public roads, highways and buildings in the capital.
The government has erected barriers of shipping containers to block main access routes to Islamabad. Concerns about the 73-year-old Khan's health, particularly his right eye, which has required months of specialist treatment, have added urgency to the PTI's campaign, which also demands the release of Khan's three sisters.
Sources: Pro-Imran Khan mass rally launched after Pakistan government talks fail · Pakistan braces for protest by ex-PM Imran Khan supporters after talks with government fail
More than 5,000 people were reported to have begun the rally on Sunday, October 4. The march, organised by Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, was originally scheduled for September 27 but was postponed to October 4 to allow negotiations between the government and the PTI leadership.
Two rounds of talks fail
Two rounds of talks over the weekend failed to break the deadlock, and the PTI decided to carry out its plan — the latest attempt to pressure the government into releasing Khan, who has been behind bars since August 2023. All but one of the convictions against him have since been suspended or overturned on appeal, and his party calls them politically motivated.
Videos posted on the PTI's official social media showed supporters joining the march in different areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which the party rules, setting off in convoys. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said the march would reach Khairabad, 80 kilometres west of Islamabad, by Thursday, where the plan for the "next phase" would be announced.
Government warns of crackdown
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed on Sunday that the talks had failed, accused Afridi of "sabotaging" the negotiations, and warned the government would not allow the PTI to "create a disturbance". He cited an Islamabad High Court order of September 14 barring political parties from occupying public roads, highways and buildings in the capital.
The government has erected barriers of shipping containers to block main access routes to Islamabad. Concerns about the 73-year-old Khan's health, particularly his right eye, which has required months of specialist treatment, have added urgency to the PTI's campaign, which also demands the release of Khan's three sisters.
Sources: Pro-Imran Khan mass rally launched after Pakistan government talks fail · Pakistan braces for protest by ex-PM Imran Khan supporters after talks with government fail
