The PTI long march entered its third day on Tuesday as a convoy left Kohat for Peshawar. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi led the convoy. Meanwhile, supporters from Hangu, Kurram and Orakzai also joined the main group in Kohat. The party is demanding the release and medical treatment of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan.

The convoy plans to move towards Peshawar later on Tuesday. It will camp at Mattani on Wednesday night. However, the party says the wider convoy could take at least a week to reach the capital.

Afridi addressed workers at College Chowk in Kohat. He said the party had published its draft demands online and would withdraw any found unconstitutional or illegal. Moreover, he said his government had exhausted every democratic, constitutional and legal avenue before taking to the streets.

Afridi also said he had repeatedly sought a meeting with Khan in jail. He had been unable to see the former prime minister.

Furthermore, he alleged that three Supreme Court judges had ordered treatment at Shifa International Hospital. According to him, the directive has not been implemented. He warned that people would seek justice on the streets if the courts failed to deliver it.

Afridi also criticised the federal government’s approach to militancy. He said 22 years of operations and drone strikes had failed to end violence in the province. Additionally, he claimed his government had a policy that could restore peace within 100 days.

He also warned Islamabad against stopping any future march. He said no one would be able to stop the party once it decides to go.

The chief minister said the ultimate goal is Khan’s release and his return as prime minister. He said this would bring development and prosperity to Pakistan.

The PTI long march began in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on October 4 after talks with the federal government collapsed. Still, the government has so far resisted the demands.

Before the departure, Afridi unveiled a charter calling for political dialogue. It also sought legal, medical and visitation rights for Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi. Furthermore, it urged better coordination between federal and provincial governments on militancy.

The convoy initially planned to pass through Lakki Marwat, Karak, Kohat, Peshawar and Charsadda. Finally, it will head towards Nowshera or Swabi, with supporters expected to join along the route.