Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has challenged participants of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march to cross Swabi, questioning the party’s commitment to its protest movement seeking the release of jailed party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan.
The march, which began on October 4, has undergone several changes in its route and proposed destination. Although the PTI initially announced plans to march towards Islamabad, the final destination remains uncertain, with KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi yet to announce the next phase of the journey beyond Swabi.
The protest has so far remained within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the PTI is in power. Participants were in Peshawar on Thursday and were expected to reach Charsadda on Friday amid escalating tensions between the provincial government and the federal authorities.
Addressing a press conference in Peshawar, Kundi expressed doubts about whether the march would reach Swabi as planned on October 11.
He suggested that the protesters might travel to Charsadda and Mardan before changing direction again, accusing the PTI of repeatedly avoiding Swabi.
“If they have any self-respect, reach Swabi tomorrow and cross it, or even step inside it,” Kundi said, challenging the party to demonstrate its commitment to its political objectives.
The governor also criticised senior PTI leaders, claiming that some were staying in Islamabad while party workers participated in the march. He questioned the party’s claims of successful mobilisation in Sindh and Punjab, asking why people from those provinces were not visibly represented in the protest.
Kundi rejected the PTI’s allegations that provincial lawmakers and cabinet members were being abducted, asking Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to identify those allegedly responsible.
He argued that the provincial government was responsible for protecting its ministers, lawmakers and residents, and questioned its ability to fulfil those duties.
The governor called on Afridi and his cabinet to resign on ethical grounds, criticising the provincial administration over reported strikes by doctors, teachers, nurses and municipal employees.
He said the provincial government should focus on addressing administrative challenges rather than engaging in confrontation with the federal government.
Kundi maintained that no province could function effectively without cooperation with the Centre and criticised the PTI for pursuing a confrontational approach.
Commenting on the possibility of imposing governor’s rule or an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kundi said the decision would rest with the relevant federal authorities if they determined that the situation in the province warranted such measures.
He added that his office would provide a report on the province’s situation if requested by the federal government.
The governor also mocked the PTI’s protest campaign, describing it as a travelling circus and accusing the party of repeatedly changing direction instead of advancing towards its declared destination.
Kundi defended his recent meeting with the KP chief secretary and inspector general of police to discuss the province’s law and order situation.
Chief Minister Afridi had criticised the meeting and called for legislation allowing the governor’s impeachment, alleging that Kundi had violated the Constitution.
Responding to the criticism, Kundi said he had summoned the senior officials because of concerns over governance and security in the province.
He cited recent terrorist incidents in KP and accused the PTI of failing to present an effective strategy to counter militancy. He also alleged that the party had not adequately condemned terrorist activities.
“Terrorism is our red line,” Kundi said, stressing that the province could not be left vulnerable to militant groups.
He added that counterterrorism would remain the priority, with other political matters to be addressed afterwards.
The PTI launched its long march after negotiations with the federal government failed to resolve their differences. A key point of disagreement was the party’s demand for access to Imran Khan, alongside disputes over counterterrorism policy.
The breakdown in talks has intensified political tensions, with federal ministers also linking disagreements over security policy to discussions about a possible emergency or governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The continuing dispute has further widened the divide between the PTI-led provincial government and the federal administration.
