ISLAMABAD: Thousands of demonstrators allied with former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan have begun a mass rally heading toward Islamabad to demand his prompt release.

Concerns regarding the 73-year-old politician’s health have escalated in recent months. Khan’s family members report a severe loss of vision in his right eye, attributing the deterioration to neglect by prison authorities.

Khan, a former international cricket icon, has been incarcerated since August 2023. He faces over 100 legal cases—including charges related to official corruption, the unauthorized disclosure of state secrets, and the unlawful sale of state gifts—and was sentenced to 17 years in prison last year. Khan and his allies maintain that every charge is politically driven. His spouse, Bushra Bibi, remains imprisoned alongside him.

Despite his detention, Khan retains significant political influence across the nation. Previous demonstrations by his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have repeatedly triggered intense confrontations with security forces.

Key Developments in the Demonstration

  • Route and Timeline: The march launched on Sunday from Lakki Marwat, located roughly 275 km (170 miles) southwest of the capital. After pausing overnight, movement resumed on Monday afternoon.

  • Deadlocked Negotiations: The rally was initially slated for the previous week but was delayed to allow space for political dialogue between government officials and PTI leaders. Discussions broke down after authorities denied PTI’s requests for leadership to consult Khan directly in prison and refused demands for his immediate transfer to a specialized private medical facility.

  • Security Crackdown: Authorities in Islamabad have placed heavy shipping containers across key highways and entry routes to prevent marchers from entering the federal territory.

  • Growing Political Tension: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi expects the convoy to reach a position 80 km (50 miles) west of Islamabad by Thursday, predicting the movement will ignite protests across the country. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi accused provincial leadership of undermining peace talks and abandoning security commitments.

  • Pressure from Outside: Lawmakers and former international cricket team captains have sent appeals to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, demanding that Khan receive adequate medical treatment.

Tensions remain high across the region as political leadership and law enforcement prepare for potential standoffs near the capital’s borders.