# Pakistan Opposition Marches Toward Islamabad

> Supporters of jailed former PM Imran Khan march toward Islamabad to demand his release.
- Title: Pakistan Opposition Marches Toward Islamabad · Foreign Policy
- Summary: Supporters of jailed former PM Imran Khan march toward Islamabad to demand his release. Pakistan’s opposition supporters march toward Islamabad to pressure…
- Keywords: pakistan, imran khan, pti, islamabad, march, opposition, political protest, imprisonment, political pressure, Marches, Toward, Foreign Policy
- Source: Foreign Policy — https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/10/07/pakistan-imran-khan-opposition-long-march-islamabad
- Author: Michael Kugelman
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: pakistan, imran khan, pti, islamabad, march, opposition, political protest, imprisonment, political pressure
## Khan Supporters March on Islamabad
Supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan began a long march in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Sunday aiming to reach Islamabad later this week.
## Khan Imprisoned for Three Years
Khan has been imprisoned for more than three years after his arrest in August 2023 and the widely criticized February 2024 elections.
## Family Reports Health Worsening
Khan’s family says his health is worsening after Pakistan flouted a Supreme Court order to transfer him to a private medical facility in August.
## Family Denied Visits
Family members say they are not allowed to visit Khan, and his two U.K.-based sons say the government refused to process their visas.
## Government Fails to Avert March
Government negotiations with the PTI to avert the march failed, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a public plea to protesters not to come to Islamabad.
## Political Pressure on Government
The government faces pressure to free Khan as it deals with energy shortages, a hot border with India, conflict with Afghanistan, and mediation in the Iran war.
## Risk of Khan’s Death in Prison
Khan’s sister Uzma warned he could become like Mohamed Morsi, the former Egyptian president who died in custody, after his August hospital visit.
## Khan Unlikely to Accept Deal
Khan is unlikely to accept a deal offering exile or house arrest if he stays quiet, as he is never one to defer.
## Khan’s Political Legacy
Khan lost power in 2022 after a parliamentary no-confidence vote where he implicated the Pakistani military and U.S. government, both of which denied the accusations.
## Protests After Khan’s Arrest
Large protests followed Khan’s arrest in August 2023 and the widely criticized February 2024 elections, but streets have been quiet since.
## State Response to Protests
When protests have gone ahead, including in Islamabad in November 2024, the state has responded with force to suppress demonstrations.
## Khan’s Support Base Growing Angry
Khan’s large support base has grown increasingly angry as the popular former cricketer languishes in prison for over three years.
## Key takeaway

Pakistan’s opposition supporters march toward Islamabad to pressure the government to free jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan after three years of imprisonment.