PTI leadership, TTAP on board for September 27 long march to Islamabad: Sohail Afridi

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi confirmed on Monday that both the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Teraa (PTI) political leadership and their ally, Tehreek Tahaffuz-i-Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP), support the call for a long march on September 27 in Islamabad. During an appearance on Geo News' 'Capital Talk', the chief minister stated, "The PTI's political leadership across the country and its ally, the TTAP, are all on board with the long march, and they collectively agreed on September 27 as the date for it."

When asked about PTI founder Imran Khan's sister Aleema Khan's concerns regarding the date, Afridi clarified that she is a "non-political individual" and would accept the date only after being fully informed by PTI about all the facts and figures. The chief minister also dismissed allegations made by a PTI member living abroad, claiming he met Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi before finalizing the date.

Afridi clarified, "That allegation was rubbish. At the time of the alleged meeting, I was at KP House in Islamabad, contrary to the claim that I had met him in Peshawar."

Addressing concerns about a communication gap between PTI leadership and workers, Afridi rejected the notion, noting that institutions failing to provide political space to the party should recognize the burden taken by PTI leadership by attempting to resolve issues through mutual understanding. He added, "However, not just in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but across Pakistan, particularly the youth, no one will be able to contain them when they come out on Sept 27, because I can see passion and a ray of light in their eyes."

During the interview, Afridi also criticized the federal government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for economic inefficiency and poor governance. He expressed willingness to agree to the September 27 date if instructed by PTI founder Imran Khan while in Adiala jail, and would follow his instructions if called for talks.