ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Sunday announced the route and schedule for the first phase of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) long march, which is set to begin later today from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat.
In a statement on X, Mr Afridi said the procession would leave at 1pm, with participants from Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Bannu and Lakki Marwat joining the caravan. The convoy is scheduled to stay overnight near Karak.
On October 5, supporters from Karak will join the procession at noon. The caravan will leave at 12:30pm and is scheduled to spend the night near Kohat.
The following day, October 6, participants from Kohat, Hangu, Kurram and Orakzai will join the march before it moves towards Peshawar and camps near Matni.
On October 7, the procession will leave Budh Bair in Peshawar at 12:30pm. Supporters from Khyber district will join there, while participants from various Peshawar constituencies are expected to meet the convoy at the motorway toll plaza and Kohat Road bridge. The march will then head towards an overnight stop near Charsadda Interchange.
On October 8, the caravan will leave Charsadda Interchange at 12:30pm, with participants from Charsadda and Mohmand joining along the way. Afridi said people from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would gather at Khairabad that night, where the plan for the next phase would be announced.
The march is part of the PTI campaign for the release of party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan. The party is also demanding constitutional supremacy and the restoration of an independent judiciary.
PTI leaders have repeatedly described the protest as peaceful and urged workers not to carry weapons or create disorder. They have also said that a repeat of the events of May 9 would not be allowed.
The long march was initially scheduled for September 27 but was postponed until October 4 following consultations within the PTI’s political committee. Mr Afridi has been leading the mobilisation in the southern districts.
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Meanwhile, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said the PTI march would not be allowed to enter Islamabad under any circumstances.
Speaking after government-opposition talks ended without an agreement, Mr Sanaullah said any attempt to create disorder would be dealt with according to law. The negotiations had focused largely on counterterrorism cooperation involving the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, but the two sides failed to bridge their differences.
Mr Afridi’s announcement came as the federal government and PTI failed to make a breakthrough in talks facilitated by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. The chief minister has previously said the party’s struggle would continue until its constitutional demands are met.
