Thousands of Imran Khan supporters start march to Islamabad

ISLAMABAD, Oct 5: Thousands of supporters of Pakistan's jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan have started a long march to Islamabad to demand his release, his party said on Monday, amid deep divisions with the Pakistani leadership.
The rally began on Sunday in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which is ruled by Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, with stops planned at several places before reaching Islamabad.
"I call upon you all to come out, the youngsters to come out for the sake of your leader who is sitting in jail," said Sohail Afridi, the chief minister of the province, who is leading the march. The rift between Khan's party and the Pakistani leadership dates to Khan's 2022 ouster by parliament, which he blamed on the military - a charge the army denies.�" REUTERS