PESHAWAR – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s hyped September 27 long march towards Islamabad has been postponed as Imran Khan’s party leaders are considering a new date in early October.

As per available information, political committee agreed to defer the march, with reports putting the proposed new date at either October 4 or October 5. The development came after intense consultations within the party over whether PTI should proceed with the march on its previously announced September 27 date.

CM Afridi was insisted that the march would go ahead despite road blockades and other measures, saying PTI workers would come out for the protest. A three-hour leadership meeting discussed the proposed march, the political situation and the party’s contacts with other opposition groups.

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A majority of participants discussed delaying the March to give party additional time for preparations. October 4 was reportedly favoured in one round of consultations, while other reports cited October 5 as the revised date ultimately agreed by the political committee.

The party is also reportedly engaged with the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) as it explores broader opposition coordination. PPP is said to be awaiting the return of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari before taking important political decisions.

PTI has also been considering an All-Parties Conference between October 6 and 10, according to reports, as part of its wider political consultations. The internal discussions have not been without differences. Some participants raised reservations over the political roles of National Assembly Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.

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PTI leaders also discussed the need for additional time to organise a larger mobilisation. Sources claimed that the financial support expected for preparations had not reached the level anticipated by the party leadership.

The reported postponement is shift from PTI’s earlier position. Just a day before the latest development, party leaders had publicly maintained that the September 27 protest would proceed. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar had also called for dialogue with the government and urged authorities to avoid confrontation with protesters.

The federal government had meanwhile taken measures to restrict movement ahead of the planned march, while PTI criticised the road blockades and other restrictions.