Long march: PTI's convoy departs from DI Khan

PESHAWAR/LAKKI MARWAT/DI KHAN: Workers and supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, headed by former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, departed from Dera Ismail Khan on Sunday for their party's long march. The objective of this demonstration is to advocate for the release of jailed party founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi's convoy, however, has not commenced its journey from Lakki Marwat yet. Before leaving Dera Ismail Khan, Gandapur underscored the importance of maintaining peaceful and disciplined behavior, condemning any acts of violence, vandalism, or confrontations with law enforcement. He conveyed the party's policy of "live and let live" during the protest and cautioned workers against taking matters into their own hands.

Gandapur also urged participants to avoid actions that might lead to clashes or harm to public or private property. He described the march as a continuation of the party's political struggle and a reaffirmation of its dedication to Imran Khan. Gandapur stated that the party would continue its peaceful political struggle in pursuit of Imran's release.

The convoy, as per Gandapur, would traverse Yarik and Pezu before reaching Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat. In the Peshawar-Karachi Highway near Serai Naurang in Gandi Chowk, PTI workers were assembling on Sunday afternoon to take part in the long march. Strict security measures were in place, including a substantial police force and armored personnel carriers with bomb disposal squads.

Tariq Saad, Special Assistant to the KP Chief Minister for Home and Tribal Affairs, informed journalists that the "peaceful" long march was slated to commence from Gandi Chowk today, with convoys from southern districts expected to join later. He mentioned that workers from Bannu, DI Khan, Tank, North Waziristan, and South Waziristan would congregate at Gandi Chowk to participate in the march.

If workers from certain southern districts, notably Tank and Waziristan, were unable to attend the long march due to law and order-related curfews and other restrictions, they would join the movement en route to Peshawar the subsequent day. The PTI's march, aimed at demanding the release of its jailed founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, represents the latest point of contention between the two sides.

In August, PTI announced the long march to Islamabad on September 27 against what they termed the "illegal imprisonment" of their party founder. However, shortly before the march was scheduled, the party postponed it until October 4 (today). Federal ministers have cautioned that the Centre might have to impose governor's rule or declare an emergency in KP, citing the province's security situation and the protest call, while PTI has threatened dire consequences if such action were taken.

After weekend discussions, PM's Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has warned that protesters would not be permitted to enter Islamabad. The march's plan, as shared by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on X, involves PTI supporters from Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, and Bannu joining the long march from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat on October 4.

The caravan will pause for the night near Karak, departing at 12:30pm the following day and resting near Kohat. On October 6, protesters from Kohat, Hangu, Kurram, and Orakzai will join the convoy, which will continue towards Peshawar and spend the night near Mattani. The caravan will leave Budh Bair in Peshawar on October 7 in the afternoon.

The remaining constituencies of Peshawar will converge at Kohat Road Bridge and the Motorway Toll Plaza, and they will spend the night near Charsadda Interchange. They will then depart the Charsadda Interchange at 12:30pm on October 8 after people from Charsadda and Mohmand join them. The final leg of the journey to the federal capital has not been detailed.

Afridi stated that people "of entire KP" would assemble at Khairabad on October 8 and spend the night there. "May God willing, the plan for the next phase will be announced there." Before the march, several roads in KP were banned under Section 144.