Pakistan: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi is scheduled to travel to Swabi on October 11 as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) continues its long march towards Islamabad, PTI leader Junaid Akbar said. The party leadership has indicated that the march’s route and timing will be determined according to its own strategy, while PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja said large convoys from Punjab would join the movement.
What is the latest plan for the long march?
Junaid Akbar said the party was planning its movement carefully after reviewing shortcomings in previous marches. He said PTI leaders had considered routes through Hazara, Swabi and Nowshera, but would make the final decision independently.
Afridi has described the march as a phased movement, urging participants to maintain their energy as it progresses. The chief minister has also said the party intends to continue its political struggle within the Constitution and the law.
What has PTI said about participation from Punjab?
PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja said large convoys from Punjab would join the march towards Islamabad. He also said the party would not accept an arrangement that required it to compromise on its principles or contributed to the bloodshed of civilians.
Raja further alleged that several PTI workers had been abducted in Peshawar on Thursday. The allegation was attributed to the PTI leader.
What is PTI’s position on negotiations and security operations?
Akbar rejected negotiations conducted under pressure, saying the party would not be compelled to enter talks. However, he said PTI remained open to discussions on terrorism and called for intelligence-based counterterrorism operations rather than indiscriminate action.
He also rejected suggestions that the party should be associated with terrorist groups and urged authorities to engage with other political leaders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over their differences with PTI.
What has the KP chief minister said about the party’s demands?
Afridi has maintained that PTI’s demands are constitutional and said the party has pursued available avenues to have them addressed. He has also defended the provincial government’s development agenda, claiming that Rs200 billion is being spent on projects in Peshawar and that the city’s appearance would change by December.
The long march remains underway, with the party’s next movements and participation from other regions expected to shape its progress towards Islamabad.