The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has begun its long march towards Islamabad from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat after government-opposition negotiations failed to resolve differences over the planned protest.
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi led the first phase of the march from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat on Sunday, with party workers from Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat and surrounding districts joining the convoy.
Afridi said he would announce the party’s next course of action on October 8 when the convoy reaches Khairabad.
Talks collapse after overnight negotiations
The PTI and government held multiple rounds of negotiations over the weekend in an attempt to prevent the October 4 march. The talks, chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, continued into the early hours of Sunday but ended without an agreement.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the talks had collapsed and accused the KP chief minister of sabotaging the negotiations.
Naqvi said the KP government had initially agreed to several counterterrorism commitments, including greater cooperation with security forces, implementation of the National Action Plan and preventing militant groups from operating freely in the province. He alleged that the provincial government later backed away from those commitments.
The PTI has disputed the government’s account. PTI leaders said disagreements remained over several issues, including access to party founder Imran Khan and the handling of counterterrorism operations in KP.
Govt, PTI hold off-the-record talks over October 4 long march
March begins amid heavy security
Party workers gathered in Lakki Marwat ahead of the march, while a heavy police contingent was deployed in the area for security.
The convoy is expected to camp near Karak on Sunday night before participants from the district join the march on Monday. It will then move towards Kohat, Peshawar and Charsadda before continuing towards Islamabad.
More than 5,000 supporters have joined the initial mobilisation, according to an Associated Press report. Authorities have also placed roadblocks and other security measures along routes leading towards the federal capital.
Government warns against entry into Islamabad
The federal government has warned that the PTI march will not be allowed to enter Islamabad.
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said the government would not permit the protesters to violate legal restrictions and stressed that cooperation with counterterrorism efforts was a constitutional and legal responsibility.
The government has also said legal action will be taken against anyone violating the law or court orders during the protest.
The PTI, meanwhile, says its march is aimed at securing the release of Imran Khan and seeking what it describes as the supremacy of law and the Constitution.
The standoff comes amid heightened political tensions and a deteriorating security situation in KP, with both sides maintaining their positions after the latest round of negotiations failed.
