The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has proceeded with its long march despite warnings from the federal government that gatherings in Islamabad would not be permitted. The protest is aimed at demanding the release of the party’s incarcerated founder and former prime minister, Imran Khan.
The PTI decided to proceed with the march after negotiations with the federal government failed to resolve differences, particularly over counterterrorism policy and access to Imran Khan.
The convoy, led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, is currently scheduled to reach Khairabad, on the KP-Punjab border, by October 8. The chief minister is expected to announce the next phase of the protest there.
Speaking to a television programme, Kundi warned that the PTI convoy would not be allowed to proceed beyond Attock.
“They cannot go any further than Attock,” Kundi said, challenging the PTI to attempt to move forward. He also questioned whether the party had sufficient support to continue the march, claiming its leadership had exaggerated the number of participants.
Kundi said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was already facing serious security challenges and criticised the PTI for planning a march towards Islamabad amid ongoing militant activity in the province.
Referring to his recent meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Peshawar, Kundi said security concerns, dialogue with the PTI and the planned long march were among the issues discussed.
He also raised concerns about security arrangements during the march, asking what screening measures the PTI had put in place to prevent militants from entering the convoy.
Kundi criticised the PTI-led provincial government over its response to terrorist attacks and accused the party of failing to provide adequate support for counterterrorism efforts.
He also criticised imprisoned PTI founder Imran Khan over his past policies towards militants in KP.
Kundi further alleged that KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was receiving instructions from PTI leader Murad Saeed, whom he accused of evading authorities. He said Saeed would eventually be brought before the public and held accountable.
On the possibility of imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kundi said the measure would only be considered if the federal leadership determined that it was necessary.
He described governor’s rule as a last resort, saying the government preferred to resolve the situation through other means but would act if circumstances left no alternative.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Afridi has urged PTI supporters to remain patient and sustain their mobilisation.
Addressing supporters in Kohat’s Lachi tehsil on Monday night, Afridi said the party’s current struggle would require endurance and continued mobilisation. He said the next phase of the campaign would begin from October 8.
The convoy spent the night in Kohat and was scheduled to resume its journey towards Peshawar at 3pm. It is expected to depart from Budh Bair on October 7 and spend the night near Charsadda Interchange before moving towards Khairabad on October 8.
Afridi has not disclosed the details of the final leg towards Islamabad, saying the next phase of the protest would be announced in Khairabad.
The PTI launched the march from Lakki Marwat on Sunday afternoon after it had previously been postponed. The convoy later reached Karak, where Afridi addressed supporters.
Ahead of the march, authorities imposed Section 144 in several districts of KP, including Dera Ismail Khan, Upper and Lower South Waziristan, Tank and Hangu, for varying periods.
Former KP chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who was leading PTI workers from Dera Ismail Khan towards Lakki Marwat, turned back from Yarik after encountering road blockades and amid the prevailing security situation.
Gandapur said the party leadership had instructed workers not to damage public property or engage in activities that could worsen the law-and-order situation. He described the decision to turn back as temporary rather than a withdrawal from the protest movement.
In Karachi, planned PTI demonstrations were also disrupted after police deployed personnel at several locations, blocked roads and detained party workers and leaders.
The PTI claimed that more than 75 workers and leaders, including women, were detained in Karachi and alleged that arrests in other parts of Sindh pushed the total number of detained workers across the province above 100.
The latest political tensions followed several hours of negotiations between opposition parties, the federal government and the Pakistan Peoples Party.
The talks ended without an agreement, with the government blaming KP Chief Minister Afridi for the breakdown. PTI rejected the allegation and said the main points of disagreement included access to Imran Khan, his medical treatment and the federal government’s counterterrorism policy.
According to the PTI, the government had agreed to restore meetings between Imran Khan, his family members and lawyers from Tuesday but refused to include guaranteed access to the former prime minister in the proposed agreement.
