Thousands of Imran Khan supporters march toward barricaded Islamabad
Thousands of supporters of former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan have begun marching toward the capital Islamabad, demanding his release from prison. The capital has been barricaded ahead of their arrival.
A large-scale protest is underway in Pakistan, with thousands of supporters of former prime minister Imran Khan marching toward the capital, Islamabad. The marchers are demanding that Khan be released from the prison where he is currently held.
Capital locked down
According to Sky News, Islamabad has been barricaded as authorities prepare for the arrival of a large number of demonstrators. The erection of barricades suggests that security services view the gathering as significant enough to warrant tightened control over access to the city.
A single clear demand
Imran Khan, Pakistan's former prime minister, remains in custody. The sole demand voiced by his supporters as they march on the capital is his release from prison. The demonstration reflects ongoing political tension in Pakistan, where Khan's backers have repeatedly staged similar actions opposing his detention.
It remains unclear how close the marchers will be allowed to get to the heart of the capital given the barricades already in place. The situation in Islamabad is being closely watched, since the simultaneous gathering of thousands of people at a sealed-off capital carries a heightened risk of tension between protesters and security forces. Events in Pakistan continue to unfold as the marchers move step by step closer to Islamabad.
