From Dw · · 1m 20s
Imran Khan Supporters Demand Release
Thousands of Imran Khan supporters begin 80-km march to Islamabad for his release.
In brief
Thousands of Imran Khan supporters begin 80-km march to Islamabad for his release. Imran Khan's supporters are marching to Islamabad to demand his release from prison after being jailed since 2023. Originally reported by Dw.
Supporters start march
Thousands of Imran Khan supporters began traveling to Islamabad on Sunday for an 80-kilometer trip that will take several days to complete.
5,000 supporters join
Some 5,000 supporters are traveling by bus, car and truck from northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province where Khan's PTI holds power.
Rally plan
March organizers say they intend to rally hundreds of thousands of supporters to Khan's cause along the way hoping for his release and transfer to a hospital for medical treatment and family visits.
Government response
Government officials say Khan is in no need of hospitalization and receives regular visits already.
Court ruling
In August, Pakistan's Supreme Court ruled Khan should be moved to a civilian hospital but authorities returned him to prison after a short stay at a government-run medical facility.
Khan's influence
Despite being jailed since 2023, Khan maintains great influence inside Pakistan with supporters convinced his imprisonment is political persecution.
March delays
The march was initially set to commence on September 27 but organizers postponed it amid talks to find a political solution after government roadblocks were erected.
What it means
Imran Khan's supporters are marching to Islamabad to demand his release from prison after being jailed since 2023.
