PTI long march’s first phase to begin today, says KP CM

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has announced that the first phase of the long march will begin today.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, Afridi said, “God willing, we will begin the first phase of the long march today from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat.”

Outlining the route, he said people from Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Bannu and Lakki Marwat districts would join the march, which will begin at 1pm at Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat.

The convoy would then reach near Karak and camp there for the night, he said.

The chief minister said people from Karak would join the march at noon on October 5. The convoy would leave at 12.30pm and spend the night near Kohat.

On October 6, people from Kohat, Hangu, Kurram and Orakzai districts would join the march, which would then camp near Peshawar’s Matani area, according to Afridi.

He said that on October 7, people from Khyber district and various constituencies of Peshawar would welcome the convoy at the motorway toll plaza and Kohat Road bridge near Badaber. The convoy would spend the night at the Charsadda Interchange.

On October 8, people from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would gather at Khairabad, where they would spend the night and be given the final plan for the next phase, Afridi said.

Reacting to the political development, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar told the media on Saturday that the party’s long march would proceed according to its announced schedule.

He said no actions should be taken under the guise of the long march that could create hatred, division or tension among the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, or undermine the province’s mandate, autonomy and powers.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah reiterated the federal government’s position, saying the PTI’s long march would not be allowed to enter Islamabad under any circumstances.