Sohail Afridi voices concern over PTI march preparations

PESHAWAR: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has expressed dissatisfaction over the preparations for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s planned long march to Islamabad, saying some party members were not showing sufficient interest in the mobilisation effort.

Afridi raised the issue while chairing a meeting of the PTI parliamentary party at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar on Tuesday. Some lawmakers attended the meeting through video link instead of appearing in person.

The chief minister criticised what he described as a lack of commitment among certain party members. He also warned that there were people within the party who were not fully supporting the planned mobilisation.

Afridi reiterated that the PTI’s long march would leave Peshawar for Islamabad on October 4. He said the party was not setting out to “conquer” the federal capital and maintained that restrictions and blockades were being placed in its path.

Addressing concerns over allegations that protesters could carry sticks or slingshots, Afridi said the participants would proceed peacefully and without such items.

The PTI had initially planned to launch the march on September 27 but later postponed it to October 4. Afridi had described the delay as part of the party’s political strategy and said dialogue with the federal government could continue alongside the mobilisation.

Meanwhile, PTI K-P President Junaid Akbar has directed lawmakers and party leaders currently abroad to return to Pakistan ahead of the October 4 march.

Akbar warned that those who remained outside the country on the day of the march would no longer be considered connected with the party. He also told such leaders that they could establish another political platform if they wished.

The planned march comes amid heightened tensions between the PTI-led K-P administration and the federal government. Authorities have taken security measures in Islamabad and other areas, while the government has repeatedly urged the PTI to avoid disrupting traffic and public activity.

The federal government has also previously discussed possible legal options concerning the K-P administration, including Governor’s Rule, although Information Minister Atta Tarar later said there was no plan to remove the provincial government.