Thousands march toward Islamabad for Khan release

Jared Kim · 2026-10-05T08:20:37.568Z

I hope the government reopens talks soon instead of blocking the roads with containers and section 144.

Thousands march toward Islamabad for Khan release — Photo: U.S. Department of State from United States / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

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Thousands of Imran Khan supporters began a multi-day march on Sunday, Oct. 4, from Lakki Marwat, about 275 km from Islamabad, demanding his release after two rounds of PTI-government talks ended without agreement early Sunday. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi is leading the procession, which paused overnight and was set to resume Monday. Authorities placed shipping containers on routes into Islamabad and imposed Section 144. Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023, faces more than 100 cases, and drew a 14-year corruption sentence last year. PTI sought medical care and access to Khan. His family says he lost most vision in his right eye; after an August 2026 state-hospital exam, doctors declared him medically fit, while the Supreme Court on Aug. 18 ordered a private-hospital examination in Islamabad. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi accused Afridi of sabotaging negotiations. PTI claims about 2,000 workers have been arrested. Gohar Khan said talks stayed deadlocked. Former international cricket captains appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for Khan's care. The march, postponed from Sept. 27 after blocks including Attock Bridge, continues toward the capital; Afridi spoke from a container truck with a large Khan portrait, expressing confidence.