Imran Khan supporters defy lockdown to head to Pakistani capital

Supporters of Imran Khan are heading for the capital Islamabad (AP)

Thousands of supporters of Pakistan’s imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan have defied a lockdown, tear gas and widespread arrests to head to the capital to demand his release.

The leadership of Khan’s party went ahead with the “long march” even as Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko arrived for a three-day visit. He was received at an airport near the capital by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.