Imran Khan again lauds India as he begins 'long march' in Pakistan | Top updates

 Imran Khan was ousted from office in April by a no-trust vote after defections by some of his coalition partners, but he retains mass support in Pakistan.

Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan gestures during an anti-government long march towards Islamabad to demand early elections, in Lahore, on Friday.

The cricketer-turned-Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief was booted from office in April by a no-trust vote after defections by some of his coalition partners, but he retains mass support in Pakistan.

Pakistan 

Supporters of 'Tehreek-e-Insaf party' listen to Imran Khan at a rally in Lahore .

On Friday, Khan once again praised India for its independent foreign policy and New Delhi's purchase of Russian oil in line with its national interests despite Western pressure amid the Ukraine war.

Imran Khan praises India's independent foreign policy in his first speech Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday, once again applauded India for its independent foreign policy and New Delhi's purchase of Russian oil in line with its national interests despite Western pressure amid the Ukraine war. "The decisions of this nation must be made inside the nation. If Russia is giving cheap oil and if I have the choice to save my countrymen, no one should ask us. No one should be able to tell us. India can take oil from Russia but slave Pakistanis are not allowed. I want to see a free country and justice must prevail and people should be provided safety and security," Imran Khan said.