PTI postpones Islamabad long march until Oct 5: sources

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to postpone its planned long march to Islamabad until Oct. 5, party sources said on Friday.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the PTI’s political committee in Peshawar, where the party leadership reviewed preparations and the prevailing political and security situation ahead of the protest.

The march had originally been scheduled for Sept. 27. PTI leaders had been holding consultations over whether to proceed with the protest on the announced date or defer it amid road closures and security measures in Islamabad and adjoining areas.

Sources said the political committee ultimately decided to shift the march to Oct. 5.

The decision came after discussions within the party over the logistical difficulties associated with the Sept. 27 march. Reports ahead of the political committee meeting said several party lawmakers had favoured postponement amid concerns over blocked routes and difficulties in mobilising supporters towards Islamabad.

The federal government had meanwhile approved deployment of Rangers in Islamabad and several districts of Punjab ahead of the previously scheduled march. According to a Ministry of Interior notification, the deployment was to remain in effect until Oct. 5.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan had earlier urged the government to engage with the party over the protest and said political workers should not be confronted with force.

The postponement marks a change in PTI’s mobilisation plan, with the party now expected to reorganise preparations for the Oct. 5 protest.

The party had not immediately issued a detailed formal statement outlining the revised programme or route of the march.