PTI to unveil final strategy in Swabi as march advances

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is set to announce its next course of action in Swabi as the party’s long march towards Islamabad entered its sixth day on Friday, with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi promising a major political move.

Addressing party workers in Peshawar, Afridi said the party would reveal its “final plan” after the procession passed through Charsadda and Mardan before reaching Swabi. He claimed the upcoming strategy would put the party’s opponents under pressure and urged supporters to maintain their enthusiasm and participation.

Afridi thanked the people of Peshawar for supporting the march and insisted that public participation had remained strong throughout his journey across the provincial capital. Using cricketing terms to describe the campaign, he said PTI had moved beyond the Test-match phase and was ready for shorter formats, including One-Day, T20 and T10 matches.

According to the party’s announced schedule, the procession was expected to reach Charsadda on Friday, continue towards Mardan on October 10 and arrive in Swabi on October 11. Afridi is accompanied by PTI’s provincial leadership and other party representatives during the march.

Separately, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja ruled out any compromise that would force the party to abandon its principles. Speaking to reporters at the Lahore High Court, he predicted that a large number of caravans from Punjab would join the movement as it progressed towards Islamabad.

Raja said the party would not support any action that risked the lives of innocent citizens. He maintained that PTI was prepared to face difficulties but would not retreat from its political position. He also urged authorities to exercise restraint amid rising tensions between the party and the government.

Commenting on the situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Raja alleged that the provincial administration was facing serious difficulties and claimed that officials were refusing to follow certain government orders. He also condemned the reported crackdown on PTI supporters in Peshawar, alleging that several workers had been taken away.

The long march was announced to demand the release of PTI founder Imran Khan, faster hearings in cases involving Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, appropriate medical treatment for the former prime minister and an end to restrictions on meetings with him.

The protest was initially scheduled to begin on September 27 but was postponed until October 4 amid security arrangements, traffic restrictions and attempts to negotiate with the federal government. Afridi subsequently led the procession from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat, with participants joining from several southern districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The march has continued amid growing political tensions and stalled negotiations between the government and opposition. Government representatives have blamed the provincial administration for the breakdown in talks, particularly over security-related concerns, while PTI has maintained that its demands require a political response.