Summary Thousands of PAT supporters are enthusiastically waiting for Imran’s address from hospital.
ISLAMABAD (AFP) - Around 25,000 supporters of Pakistani politician Imran Khan gathered in Islamabad late Thursday, enthusiastically waiting for the ex-cricketer to address them by video link from hospital.
The charismatic 60-year-old has been ordered by doctors to remain immobile after suffering fractured vertebrae and a broken rib on Tuesday after falling from a stage at a rally in Lahore ahead of Saturday s elections.
The injuries prevent him from attending in person the final rally for his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which is looking to make a breakthrough for the first time at the polls, before campaigning ends at midnight.
But Khan s absence did nothing to dampen the festive spirits of the crowd, estimated by one police and a city official at between 25,000-30,000, who poured into the street outside parliament.
Songs blared out from a large PA system in front of a sea of the red-and-green PTI flags being waved by young men and women.
"I miss Imran Khan and wish he could be at this wonderful rally. I don t think his absence will dampen, but rather boost our morale," said 21-year-old student Hassan Ali.
But despite his electrifying campaign, a question mark hangs over how well Khan will do, considering he won only one seat in 2002.
