Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has declared that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) long march towards Islamabad will commence from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat on October 4. This announcement came as talks continued between the government and PTI to ease tensions surrounding the planned protest.
Speaking at a fundraising event at the PTI secretariat in Peshawar, Afridi urged party members to prepare thoroughly and participate actively in the march. He confirmed that he would personally lead the procession, which is scheduled to stop in Karak first. The march is planned to reach Kohat on October 5 and Matni, near Peshawar, by the night of October 6.
On the morning of October 7, the convoy will depart Peshawar en route to Islamabad. Afridi also promised that a detailed itinerary would be shared with party workers by Friday night. He appealed especially to supporters from southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to join the march, emphasizing that the protest would be peaceful and that participants should avoid any unrest.
Meanwhile, government-PTI negotiations took place in Islamabad on Friday, aiming to resolve disputes linked to the march. Despite two rounds of discussions chaired by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq—one at noon and another after Friday prayers—the talks concluded without reaching a consensus. Both parties outlined their positions and agreed to resume dialogue on Saturday.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan described the negotiations as constructive and hopeful, noting that the government had listened to PTI’s demands. The next meeting is scheduled for 2pm on Saturday in the National Assembly speaker’s chamber.
The PTI negotiating team includes Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja, Amir Dogar, and Haleem Adil Sheikh. The government delegation comprises Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah, State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry, and PPP representatives Senator Sherry Rehman, Naveed Qamar, and Aijaz Jakhrani.
Reports following Friday’s talks indicate that PTI raised political and legal concerns, including the transfer of party founder Imran Khan to a hospital. Conversely, the government urged PTI to cancel or postpone the march. However, no agreement has been reached, and PTI’s plan to proceed with the October 4 march remains unchanged, making it a central focus of ongoing negotiations.
