Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has reiterated his commitment to the PTI’s planned march towards Islamabad, as tensions between the provincial and federal governments continue over the protest and the security situation in the province.
The PTI has scheduled the march for October 4 as part of its nationwide campaign seeking the release of party founder Imran Khan. Afridi said the protesters would initially move towards Swabi, from where they would proceed further towards Islamabad. The date was changed from September 27 to October 4.
Addressing a press conference in Peshawar, Afridi described the planned mobilisation as a major political protest and warned against attempts to obstruct it. He said PTI workers would remain peaceful and unarmed, adding that the party had established a chain of command for the march.
Afridi also accused the federal government and ruling PML-N of attempting to create disorder by infiltrating PTI ranks. He said anyone carrying weapons or attempting to cause unrest would not represent the party.
On reports of contacts between PTI and the federal government, Afridi said the party leadership might be holding discussions, but he had been assigned responsibility for the resistance movement.
The chief minister also criticised the federal government’s counterterrorism approach in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, arguing that the existing policy had failed to end militancy. He called for a revised strategy involving the provincial government and other stakeholders.
The federal government has continued to raise the possibility of imposing governor’s rule or an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa if constitutional conditions are met.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the Constitution provides mechanisms for such measures, while other federal representatives have also referred to the possibility amid concerns over law and order in the province.
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has likewise said governor’s rule could be considered if the security situation deteriorates further. He has urged the provincial government to focus on restoring peace and improving governance instead of proceeding with the Islamabad march.
Kundi said any decision would have to follow the constitutional procedure and warned against allowing the situation to reach a point where extraordinary measures become necessary.
Separately, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said the federal government was considering all constitutional options, including an emergency, while criticising the provincial government’s handling of security issues.
The federal government has also accused the PTI-led provincial administration of failing to adequately address terrorism. PTI leaders, in response, have rejected the criticism and blamed the Centre’s counterterrorism policy for the deteriorating security situation.
The confrontation comes as security measures have been tightened ahead of the planned Islamabad protest. Authorities have deployed additional security personnel and placed containers at several locations in the capital and along routes expected to be used by protesters.
