Thousands of supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan set off on 4 October on a five-day march across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The march, led by KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, began after two rounds of talks between Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and the federal government broke down. Here is what is happening, where the march is going and what each side says.
Key points
- What:Â A PTI "long march" demanding Imran Khan's release.
- When:Â 4 to 8 October 2026 (first phase).
- Route: Lakki Marwat → Karak → Kohat → Matni → Charsadda Interchange → Khairabad.
- Who leads it:Â KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
- Size:Â Media reports put the crowd at more than 5,000 people at the start.
- Government response:Â Section 144 orders in several districts, road closures and container barriers on routes to Islamabad.
Why are PTI supporters marching?
Imran Khan, 73, has been in prison since August 2023. He was removed as prime minister in a no-confidence vote in April 2022 and later convicted in several cases. According to Al Jazeera, all but one of his convictions have since been suspended or overturned on appeal, but he remains behind bars.
PTI's main demands are:
- The release of Imran Khan.
- The release of his wife, Bushra Bibi, and family members, including his sister Aleema Khan.
- The release of detained PTI workers and leaders.
- Access to Khan for his family and party, and medical treatment in hospital. His party has raised concerns about his eyesight.
Government officials say Khan is in good health and receives regular family visits, and deny that limits on meetings are politically motivated.
Why did talks with the government fail?
Two rounds of talks, chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, took place on 3 and 4 October. According to The Express Tribune, the government wanted PTI to call off the march, while PTI wanted the government to arrange a meeting with Khan. Neither side moved, and the march went ahead. It had originally been planned for 27 September but was postponed.
PTI long march 2026: day-by-day schedule
| Date | Starting point | Overnight stop |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 4 Oct | Gandi Chowk, Lakki Marwat (1pm) | Near Karak |
| Mon 5 Oct | Karak (noon) | Near Kohat |
| Tue 6 Oct | Kohat (convoys from Hangu, Kurram, Orakzai join) | Near Matni |
| Wed 7 Oct | Budh Bair, Peshawar (12:30pm) | Near Charsadda Interchange |
| Thu 8 Oct | Charsadda Interchange (12:30pm) | Gathering at Khairabad |
Khairabad, on the KP–Punjab border about 80km west of Islamabad, is the end point of the first phase. PTI says it will announce the next phase there. The party has not officially announced a march into Islamabad.
Who is Sohail Afridi?
Sohail Afridi is the PTI Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the province PTI governs. He flew to Lakki Marwat by helicopter to launch the march. In his speech he said "we are not yes-men; we are soldiers of Imran Khan," according to Dawn. The federal Information Minister criticised the use of the government helicopter, citing an Islamabad High Court direction that state resources must not be used for political protests.
How is the government responding?
- Section 144:Â Bans on public gatherings have been imposed in several KP districts and in Punjab.
- Road closures:Â Roads have been blocked in areas including Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Hangu and South Waziristan. A separate convoy led by former chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur turned back at the Yarik checkpoint.
- Containers:Â Shipping containers have been placed on routes into Islamabad.
- Warnings:Â Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said protesters would not be allowed into the capital and held Afridi responsible for any loss of life. The government has also cited a 14 September court order that bans occupying public roads.
Has this happened before?
Yes. PTI has held several marches since Khan was removed from office, including the 2022 "Haqeeqi Azadi" march and a November 2024 protest. In November 2024, supporters broke through barriers and reached Islamabad before being cleared by security forces. Each time, the government has used containers, road closures and mobile internet shutdowns to slow the convoys.
What happens next?
Watch for three things this week:
- Whether the convoys reach Khairabad on 8 October as planned.
- The "next phase" PTI says it will announce there, including whether it moves towards Islamabad.
- Whether talks between PTI and the government restart.
FAQ
Why is Imran Khan in jail?
Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 after convictions in cases including corruption. Most of those convictions have been suspended or overturned on appeal, but one still keeps him in prison.
Where does the PTI march end?
The first phase ends at Khairabad, on the KP–Punjab border, on 8 October 2026.
Who is leading the PTI long march?
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
Will the march go to Islamabad?
Not officially, yet. PTI says it will announce its next step at Khairabad. The government says marchers will not be allowed into Islamabad.
Is Section 144 in place?
Yes. Section 144 orders banning gatherings have been imposed in several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and in Punjab.
Sources:Â
- Al Jazeera: Iran says Hormuz to remain closed
- Al Jazeera: Houthis claim strike on Aramco site
- CNN: Yemen offensive against Houthis
- Al Jazeera: Russia's 'new doctrine', Kyiv bridges hit
- Euronews: NATO thwarts Russian undersea cable sabotage
- CFR: Conflict with Iran
- Trading Economics: Brent crude
