Protesters demanding the release of Pakistan’s jailed former premier Imran Khan reached the edge of the nation’s capital, authorities said late Monday night, overcoming efforts by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ‘s government to stifle the nationwide protests.

Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, is under lockdown for a second day as thousands of protesters demanding the release of former prime minister Imran Khan from jail converge on the city. His supporters are also calling for the overturning of election results they say were rigged - a claim disputed by the government.

Led by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Khan's wife Bushra Bibi, the marchers began their journey from the militancy-hit province on Sunday with the mission to stage a sit-in at the D-Chowk,