PTI long march begins as Sohail Afridi steps up push for Imran Khan’s release

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi is leading Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) latest mobilisation against the federal government and the military establishment, with the party's long march beginning from Lakki Marwat on Sunday, October 4, amid a broader campaign for the release of former prime minister Imran Khan and other jailed PTI leaders.

Afridi has called for widespread participation from across southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying the movement would continue to exert political pressure until Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, his sister Aleema Khan and other detained party leaders and workers secure freedom and legal redress.

"This march will change Pakistan's destiny," Afridi said while rallying supporters. He also sought to mobilise younger Pakistanis, declaring that "victory will belong to Imran Khan and Pakistan's youth". He said the demonstrations would remain peaceful, while warning about possible civil disruption and asserting that "stopping oppression is jihad".

March to bring supporters together across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

The first phase of the march will begin at 1pm from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat. Participants from Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Bannu and Lakki Marwat are expected to join the convoy before it heads towards Karak for the night's halt.

On October 5, supporters from Karak will join the march at noon, with the convoy scheduled to leave at 12.30pm for Kohat.

The following day, participants from Kohat, Hangu, Kurram and Orakzai will join at noon. The caravan will then head towards Peshawar and spend the night near Matni.

Afridi has said the march will leave Budh Bair in Peshawar at 12.30pm on October 7. Supporters from Khyber district will join there, while the remaining Peshawar constituencies are expected to join at Kohat Road Bridge and the Motorway Toll Plaza. The convoy will then halt near Charsadda Interchange.

On October 8, the march will leave Charsadda Interchange at 12.30pm, with participants from Charsadda and Mohmand joining the procession. Afridi has said people from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will gather at Khairabad that day and spend the night there, with the plan for the next phase to be announced at the location.

The latest schedule does not specify the final leg into Islamabad. However, PTI has continued to describe the mobilisation as a march towards the federal capital.

Afridi attacks federal security policy

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister has also stepped up his criticism of Islamabad's handling of security in the province.

"Terrorism has been imposed on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa," Afridi said, blaming federal policies for leaving the province "engulfed in the lap of gunpowder and fire".

He alleged that innocent residents had been killed in military operations and drone strikes that were subsequently described as collateral damage, adding that the issue was dismissed with a "mere sorry".

According to Afridi, only Imran Khan's policy could address the province's problems and protect the interests of Pakistan and its people.

In a separate statement on the eve of the march, Afridi said PTI would continue its struggle until constitutional and legal supremacy was established and an independent judiciary restored. He also said the party would not allow a repeat of the May 9, 2023 events.

The chief minister has urged supporters to remain peaceful and unarmed. PTI has repeatedly maintained that its demonstrations are intended to remain within constitutional and legal limits.

Government warns against Islamabad disruption

The latest mobilisation follows an earlier PTI decision to postpone a long march that had initially been scheduled for September 27. The party had said it had exhausted other legal and constitutional avenues before announcing the protest.

The Islamabad High Court subsequently directed authorities to prevent political parties and public office holders from using state resources for demonstrations and barred the occupation or obstruction of public roads, highways, interchanges, toll plazas and government buildings in the capital. The federal government then intensified security preparations and warned that Islamabad would not be allowed to be shut down.

The confrontation also raised the possibility of federal intervention in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on September 21 that the government was consulting the Law Ministry over available legal options, including Governor's Rule, if the PTI proceeded with its planned march.

Two days later, however, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the federal government had no intention of imposing Governor's Rule or removing the PTI administration. He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa needed "people's rule" and good governance, while warning that the PTI would not be allowed to enter Islamabad through violent or unlawful means.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also urged the provincial government to abandon the march, arguing that the "ground reality" was not in its favour. He separately said there was no immediate need for Governor's Rule and that the provincial administration could not act in violation of the Islamabad High Court order.

Talks fail to resolve standoff

The escalation has unfolded alongside attempts by the federal government and opposition parties to reduce political tensions through negotiations.

For the first time in almost three years, representatives of the federal government and PTI formally met for talks on Friday, with National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq chairing the discussions. The PTI reportedly sought the release of Khan and his transfer to a hospital for medical treatment, while the government wanted the planned Islamabad march called off.

A second round of negotiations continued late into Saturday night, with reports of a possible understanding emerging. However, PTI leaders said a final decision would require consultation with Imran Khan, while Afridi continued to insist that the march would proceed.

On Sunday, government officials warned that the march would not be permitted to enter Islamabad, keeping the political standoff unresolved as Afridi's convoy prepares to leave Lakki Marwat.

PTI steps up preparations and fundraising

The mobilisation has also received financial backing from party workers and supporters. PTI collected Rs40 million in donations in a single day during a fundraising campaign in Peshawar supervised by Afridi. The chief minister said the campaign would continue and that funds would not be an obstacle to the march.

PTI provincial leaders have been organising caravans from different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Provincial President Junaid Akbar is expected to lead a convoy from Malakand, while groups from Hazara and the tribal districts are expected to converge with the main procession.

The party's stated demands include the release of Imran Khan and other detained leaders, faster hearings in cases involving Khan, access to medical treatment and an end to restrictions on meetings with him.

With Afridi now leading the mobilisation from Lakki Marwat, the PTI's latest confrontation with the federal government is set to test both the party's ability to sustain a prolonged street campaign and Islamabad's willingness to prevent the protest from reaching the capital.