The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has launched its march towards Islamabad from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat amid failure of talks with the federal government.
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi began the march from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat. He said he would announce the party’s next strategy on Thursday, October 8, when the convoy is expected to reach Khairabad.
Three rounds of talks were held between PTI representatives and a government-PPP team, but negotiations collapsed on Sunday morning. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi accused the KP chief minister of undermining the talks.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, however, said the deadlock resulted mainly from the federal government’s demand that the provincial administration take responsibility for anti-terrorism measures launched unilaterally in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
PTI supporters from Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan and nearby districts gathered in Lakki Marwat to join the procession, while a sizeable police contingent was deployed for security.
Afridi travelled from Peshawar to Lakki Marwat to lead the march, accompanied by senior PTI leaders, including Junaid Akbar.
The convoy is scheduled to spend Sunday night near Karak, with participants from the district expected to join on Monday. It will subsequently proceed towards Kohat, Peshawar and Charsadda.
The federal government has warned that it will not tolerate violence or attempts to disrupt public order. Naqvi said those participating in the sit-in would face legal proceedings if they violated the law, reiterating that no group would be allowed to force its way into Islamabad.
“The long march has already begun, and we will not spare anyone who violates the law,” the interior minister said, reaffirming his earlier position.
PTI has said the march is aimed at pressing for the release of party founder Imran Khan and demanding the “supremacy of law and the Constitution.”
PTI Set to Begin Long March to Islamabad Amid Talks Deadlock
