Pakistan Government Blocks PTI Long March Toward Islamabad
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif banned a PTI-led long march from entering Islamabad as thousands protest to demand the release of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Thousands of supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party are marching toward Islamabad to demand the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The long march began on October 5, 2026, with a convoy of approximately 1,500 vehicles and up to 6,000 people moving through the Khyber district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Protesters cite severe inflation, poor governance, and harsh economic conditions as primary drivers for the unrest.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has banned the march from entering the capital, citing security concerns and potential economic instability. He urged the PTI to cancel the demonstration and return to negotiations, warning that any attempts to undermine the government would be met with the force of law.
Imran Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 on corruption and treason charges, which his legal team describes as politically motivated. His family and lawyers have recently warned that his health is critical, specifically reporting significant vision loss in his right eye. The PTI, led in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, continues to demand that Khan be granted access to doctors, party officials, and relatives while in prison.
