The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) resumed its long march on Monday, moving from Karak towards Kohat after spending the night in Karak district. The procession is being led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who is heading the march en route to Islamabad.
The march initially started from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat on Sunday, covering approximately 80 kilometers before reaching Karak late at night. Afridi had arrived in Lakki Marwat by helicopter from Peshawar to lead the procession, where party supporters greeted him warmly at the helipad.
Before departing for Kohat from Jail Chowk in Karak on Monday, Afridi addressed the gathered supporters, condemning the imposition of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as part of a deliberate plan. He highlighted the ongoing bloodshed affecting Pakhtoons, displacement of people, destruction of businesses, and the loss of innocent civilians, police officers, and soldiers during security operations.
Afridi responded to critics who labeled him immature, stating that if standing with his people is considered immaturity, he would embrace it repeatedly. Similar remarks were made by Afridi on Sunday at the march’s launch in Lakki Marwat, where he emphasized that PTI would reject any policy formulated behind closed doors that undermines Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s interests.
He further asserted that peace prevailed in the province during PTI’s tenure at the federal level, whereas the current government’s policies have failed to curb terrorism, leading instead to a rise in militant activities. Afridi claimed that PTI’s proposed policy could restore peace in the province within 100 days.
The march was initiated following the breakdown of government-opposition talks after two rounds of negotiations aimed at preventing the PTI’s planned protest march towards Islamabad. The discussions faltered mainly over issues concerning access to jailed former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan, as well as disagreements on the federal government’s counterterrorism strategy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Earlier on Monday, PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja stated that the party had demanded that Imran Khan’s legal team, family, political allies, and personal doctors be granted access to him. Raja emphasized that no decisions could be finalized without consulting Imran and considering the party’s stance. He also noted that the two sides remained divided over the conduct of counterterrorism operations in the province.
PTI’s schedule, the convoy will travel from Karak to Kohat on Monday. Participants from Kohat, Hangu, Kurram, and Orakzai districts are expected to join the march on Tuesday as it advances towards Peshawar. The march will then proceed to Swabi, where PTI leadership plans to announce the next steps.
Meanwhile, the federal government has intensified security arrangements in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Attock to block the marchers from entering the capital. Approximately 30,000 police personnel have been deployed across these areas, and the deployment of Rangers in Islamabad has been extended until October 15.
This PTI march unfolds amid escalating political tensions following the failure of negotiations and disputes between the federal government and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration over counterterrorism policies. The government has issued warnings that it will prevent protesters from entering Islamabad.
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