Peshawar (The COW News Digital) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has maintained its decision to begin a long march toward Islamabad on October 4, following a consultation meeting of the party’s parliamentary group at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar.
The meeting was chaired by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and was attended by members of the provincial and National Assemblies, ministers, advisers and other party representatives. According to sources, some lawmakers and party officials participated online through Zoom.
The meeting focused on whether the planned long march should proceed on October 4 or be postponed. According to sources, several lawmakers suggested delaying the march, but Chief Minister Sohail Afridi rejected the proposal and reaffirmed the October 4 schedule.
Addressing the meeting, Afridi reportedly expressed concern over what he described as a lack of interest among some party members in preparations for the march. He also criticized internal differences within the party and said PTI would proceed from Peshawar on October 4.
The chief minister said the party was not going to Islamabad to “conquer” the federal capital, adding that PTI intended to hold a peaceful long march. He also rejected allegations that participants would be equipped with weapons such as slingshots or batons.
“We have to leave from Peshawar on October 4,” Afridi told the meeting, according to sources.
He directed party lawmakers and workers to continue preparations and urged leaders not to create disappointment among PTI supporters. Afridi reiterated that the planned demonstration would remain peaceful.
The parliamentary party ultimately retained the October 4 date for the long march. Party officials also supported continuing preparations for the scheduled departure.
PTI provincial president Junaid Akbar directed lawmakers and party officials currently outside Pakistan to return to the country ahead of the planned march.
According to sources, Akbar said members of the provincial and National Assemblies and party leaders who were not present in Pakistan on October 4 would face consequences within the party. He reportedly told such members to consider forming another political group if they failed to return.
The decision comes as PTI continues preparations for its proposed march from Peshawar toward Islamabad. The party leadership has been holding consultations with lawmakers and organizational officials regarding participation, logistics and mobilization.
The federal government and PTI have previously remained at odds over demonstrations and political protests in Islamabad, with security and movement restrictions becoming major issues during earlier protests.
For now, PTI’s parliamentary group has retained October 4 as the planned date for the long march, while preparations and internal consultations are expected to continue in the coming days.
