PTI decides to postpone Islamabad long march till Oct 5: sources

PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has reportedly decided to postpone its planned Islamabad long march until October 5, following consultations among senior party leaders in Peshawar on Friday, September 25.

The PTI Islamabad long march was originally scheduled for September 27, with supporters preparing to travel from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of the country to the federal capital.

According to party sources, the decision to delay the protest was taken during a meeting of the PTI political committee, which reviewed the political situation, security arrangements and preparations for the march.

However, conflicting statements from party representatives have created uncertainty over the final schedule. While some sources have identified October 5 as the revised date, other reports have mentioned October 4.

A formal announcement from the party's central leadership is still awaited.

PTI Islamabad long march: Political committee discusses new date

The reported postponement follows discussions within PTI over whether to proceed with the September 27 protest or allow additional time for political consultations and organisational preparations.

Party sources said the political committee considered the situation in Islamabad and the difficulties supporters could face while travelling to the capital.

The leadership also discussed the role of opposition allies and the need to coordinate plans before announcing a revised protest schedule.

According to sources, the decision is expected to be formally communicated after Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) chief Allama Raja Nasir Abbas are taken into confidence.

Both leaders have been associated with opposition efforts involving PTI, making consultations with allied parties an important part of the protest planning process.

The proposed delay would give the leadership additional time to discuss the arrangements with its political partners.

Shaukat Yousafzai denies reports of postponement

Despite reports suggesting that the march has been postponed, PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Secretary Shaukat Yousafzai has rejected claims that the party has called off its planned protest.

Speaking to Geo News, Yousafzai maintained that no decision had been taken to cancel the march and that the party remained prepared to proceed.

His statement highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the reported change in schedule.

Yousafzai also indicated that a decision regarding the protest could be considered if the federal government agreed to hold talks with PTI.

He maintained that the party intended to conduct a peaceful demonstration and that government resources would not be used for the protest.

The PTI leader also accused the federal government of violating a court decision by placing containers on roads.

The allegation has not been independently established in the available reports.

For party workers preparing to travel to Islamabad, the conflicting statements mean that the final date remains subject to an official announcement.

Sohail Afridi says PTI remains committed to protest

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had earlier reaffirmed the party's commitment to holding the Islamabad long march despite restrictions on major routes.

Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar, Afridi criticised the placement of barriers and nails on roads near the provincial boundary.

He questioned the restrictions affecting travel between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of Pakistan.

The chief minister also raised concerns about the treatment of PTI workers and the restrictions imposed ahead of the planned demonstration.

Afridi's remarks came as the party continued preparations for the September 27 protest.

According to reports citing party sources, Afridi is expected to announce the revised schedule once the leadership completes its consultations.

Until that announcement is made, the reported postponement should not be treated as a final, publicly confirmed decision.

PTI demands Imran Khan's release

The PTI Islamabad long march is part of the party's campaign demanding the release of its incarcerated founder and former prime minister, Imran Khan.

PTI has also linked the planned protest to its demand for constitutional supremacy and what it describes as the restoration of democratic and political rights.

The party has been mobilising supporters across the country, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa expected to serve as a major starting point for the march.

Plans discussed by the leadership included a central convoy travelling from the province towards Islamabad, where supporters from other regions were expected to join the demonstration.

PTI leaders have repeatedly said that the planned march is intended to be peaceful.

The party's leadership has also instructed supporters not to carry weapons or other objects that could be used to cause violence during the protest.

The federal government, meanwhile, has emphasised maintaining public order and security in the capital ahead of the planned gathering.

Major highways and Islamabad entry routes restricted

Security arrangements have been tightened in Islamabad and parts of Punjab ahead of the September 27 protest.

Major highways and motorways leading towards the federal capital have faced closures or restrictions, affecting travel plans and preparations for the march.

The federal government has also authorised the deployment of Pakistan Rangers in Islamabad and several districts of Punjab to assist law enforcement agencies.

According to the reported deployment arrangements, the security measures are scheduled to remain in effect until October 5.

The restrictions have become an important issue in the ongoing disagreement between PTI and the federal government over the planned protest.

PTI representatives have criticised the road closures, while authorities have presented the security arrangements as measures intended to maintain law and order.

The reported postponement has also raised questions about whether existing travel restrictions will remain in place or be revised following an official announcement of the new protest date.

KP governor discusses possibility of governor's rule

The developments came as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said consultations had taken place over the possibility of imposing governor's rule in the province.

Speaking to journalists in Peshawar, Kundi said the Constitution provided for such a measure and that discussions had been held regarding the matter.

His remarks came amid disagreements between the federal government and the PTI-led provincial administration over the planned march.

Kundi also accused the provincial government of attempting to bring the police under its political control.

These accusations remain the governor's stated position and do not establish that the provincial government has acted unlawfully.

The governor's comments added another dimension to the political dispute surrounding the protest preparations.

No formal decision to impose governor's rule was established in the reports available at the time.

What happens next?

The immediate question is whether PTI will formally confirm October 5 as the revised date for its Islamabad long march.

Although sources have reported that the political committee agreed to postpone the protest, statements from party representatives have not been consistent.

The difference between reports identifying October 4 and October 5 also remains unresolved.

An official announcement is expected to clarify the protest schedule, arrangements for participating workers and the party's coordination with opposition allies.

The federal government's response to any revised schedule will also determine whether existing security arrangements and road restrictions are changed.

For now, PTI's stated demands remain unchanged, while the timing of its planned march towards Islamabad awaits confirmation from the party leadership.