Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) launched a convoy toward Islamabad from Lakki Marwat on Sunday after talks with the federal government ended in deadlock. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi is leading the PTI long march. Protesters demand the release of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan and access to medical treatment.
Afridi presented seven demands before setting off. Moreover, these include political dialogue and full legal, medical and visitation rights for Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi. He also called for dialogue involving the prime minister, opposition leaders and a joint political committee.
Furthermore, he urged courts to expedite pending appeals and consider releasing elderly and women political prisoners on humanitarian grounds. Additionally, another demand seeks greater coordination between federal and provincial governments to tackle militancy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, Afridi said the party would call off the march if the government gave written assurances. Otherwise, the party would retain its right to peaceful protest if Islamabad delayed the dialogue process.
Afridi led the convoy from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat, accompanied by other PTI leaders. Workers from Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Bannu and Lakki Marwat are joining the first phase. The convoy will camp near Karak on Oct. 4 and cross Kohat on Oct. 5.
It will reach Peshawar on Oct. 6, where participants will stay near Mattani. On Oct. 7, workers from Khyber and other parts of Peshawar will join before the convoy moves toward Charsadda. Then, the march will leave Charsadda Interchange on Oct. 8, with workers from Charsadda and Mohmand joining along the route.
Afridi said workers from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would gather that evening at Khairabad, near Attock district in Punjab. The party will announce its next course of action there. Meanwhile, KP Information Minister Shafi Jan said the party planned to pass through as many districts as possible. Therefore, the process could take more than a week before the convoy reaches Nowshera or Swabi.
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar accused the PTI and Afridi of using government machinery for the march. He said the move violated Islamabad and Peshawar High Court rulings that bar political parties from using state resources. However, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the government would not let marchers enter Islamabad.
Instead, he said the government would confine them to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He also held Afridi responsible for any escalation and any loss of life. As the march began, Naqvi traveled to Peshawar and met KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi.
Their discussion covered blocking key routes connecting KP with Punjab and Islamabad. They also considered governor’s rule or an emergency in the province.
Meanwhile, authorities have imposed partial movement restrictions under Section 144 along several routes in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These routes include Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Waziristan and Hangu.
Naqvi had earlier blamed Afridi for the collapse of negotiations. He said several rounds of talks had brought both sides close to an agreement. Still, he said the PTI changed its position once officials contacted Afridi, which led to the breakdown. For now, the PTI long march remains on the road while the government weighs its response.
