Supporters of Imran Khan, Pakistan's former prime minister, have begun a march toward Islamabad to demand his release from jail, according to leaders of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
The march started Sunday in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Khan's stronghold province in north-west Pakistan. Government efforts to block the protest failed, the PTI said.
Pakistani authorities have stated the marchers will not reach the capital. Islamabad remains under lockdown measures as authorities prepare to prevent the demonstration from entering the city.
Khan has been detained in jail. The march represents a show of support from his political base amid his incarceration. The PTI party organized the movement to press for Khan's freedom.