Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced on Friday that PTI has decided to postpone long march by October 4, reported 24NewsHD TV Channel.
Talking to media after key meeting of political committee, CM Afridi said that PTI long march will start from Peshawar for Islamabad on October 4 and reached Islamabad on October 5, which is the birthday date of PTI founder Imran Khan.
“Our long march will depart from Peshawar on October 4,” Afridi said while addressing a press conference in Peshawar. He said the party’s struggle was aimed at restoring the Constitution and alleged that the government was not respecting constitutional and legal provisions.
Sohail Afridi said that PTI workers were peaceful and political and alleged that the government was trying to create circumstances similar to those following the May 9 events to register cases against the party.
He also alleged that PTI lawmakers were being picked up and that routes along the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border had been blocked.
Sohail Afridi said PTI workers would set out on October 4, while October 5, the birthday of PTI founder Imran Khan, would be observed as a day of celebration and victory.
He said PTI was a political and peaceful party and its struggle was for the supremacy of the Constitution and the law.
Afridi said some people wanted PTI and the establishment to remain at odds while they continued to enjoy the benefits.
He accused the PML-N of building a narrative linking PTI to terrorism and alleged that certain people were being brought into the party’s ranks.
“I am warning you in advance: whoever wants to take any action should come in uniform and do it,” he said, adding that PTI workers would not raise sticks against those in uniform. Calling the planned protest a “Test match”, Afridi said, “We have already won the toss.”
He said negotiations would continue even after the long march, adding that postponing the march was part of PTI’s political strategy. Afridi criticised the government for placing containers across Islamabad, saying the capital had been turned into a “city of containers”.
He said those who came out on October 4 would not be under anyone’s control. Afridi also said PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan had informed Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas about the political committee’s decision.
Referring to PTI founder Imran Khan’s legal cases, Afridi said that if the courts started functioning, “the founder would get bail within half an hour”. He also claimed that the Supreme Court had ordered Imran Khan’s transfer to a hospital but that the order had not been implemented.
Afridi criticised federal officials, including Interior Adviser Rana Sanaullah, over remarks concerning terrorism and questioned what message the federal government wanted to send to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Earlier, Opposition leader in National Assembly Mehmood Khan Achakzai suggested that PTI should have announced their long march toward Islamabad on October 5.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said 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 march.
The march was originally 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. The political committee ultimately decided to shift the march to Oct 4.
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.
Earlier, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi contacted Opposition leader in National Assembly Mehmood Khan Achakzai and held detailed consultations regarding PTI long march.
Sources said CM Afridi told Achakzai that several key PTI were suggesting the postponement of the march.
Sources said Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai stated that the events of September 27 should proceed peacefully. Achakzai told Sohail Afridi that the call for the September 27 long march should be maintained. CM Afridi agreed to convey the Opposition leadership's message to the party leadership.
Meanwhile, audio of PTI leaders’ zoom meeting has been leaked on social media. According to the leaked audio message, MNA Asad Qaiser had suggested the postponement of 27th September long march.
Asad Qaiser proposed postponing the long march, stating that they should consult with the Maulana and the People's Party. When Salman Akram Raja inquired about preparations of the long march, CM Sohail Afridi replied that preparations were complete, adding, "We need to decide what our next move is." Barrister Gohar remarked that PTI should not trigger an escalation.
PTI decided to have the opposition alliance announce the postponement of the protest. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Barrister Gohar separately requested Mahmood Khan Achakzai to postpone the long march. Mahmood Khan Achakzai refused to postpone the march and said that “why should we announce the postponement when no consultation took place when the call for the protest was issued?"
Barrister Gohar proposed holding a protest on October 5, the founding leader's birthday. Sources said Mahmood Khan Achakzai advised starting the protest on September 27 and extending it until October 5. Despite the insistence of Barrister Gohar and Sohail Afridi, Mahmood Khan Achakzai refused to take personal responsibility for the decision to postpone the protest.
Meanwhile, a meeting is currently underway in Islamabad between Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai and PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar. According to sources, the meeting is taking place at Mahmood Khan Achakzai's residence.
Sources said the responsibility for behind-the-scenes contacts had been entrusted to Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas. Barrister Gohar will convey the message to the political committee following the meeting. The political committee will announce the postponement of the protest in consultation with Mahmood Khan Achakzai. The opposition alliance had also expressed grievances with the PTI for announcing the protest without prior consultation.
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.
Barrister Gohar says Opposition leaders will be taken into confidence over key decisions
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has said opposition leaders have been taken into confidence over important decisions, including the party’s future strategy and the planned long march, reported 24NewsHD TV.
Speaking to the media, Gohar said PTI founder Imran Khan had authorized Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi regarding the long march and that CM Afridi would lead it.
There are no two opinions regarding the long march, Gohar said, and added that PTI takes decisions through consensus and detailed consultation. He said the party keeps Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas Jafri informed about important political matters.
Gohar said he holds both opposition leaders in high regard and personally meets them to convey information rather than informing them over the phone. He mentioned that Sohail Afridi would provide updates regarding any decision taken about the long march.
Reporter: Tayyab Saif