KARAK(The COW News Digital) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has announced that the first phase of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march will begin today from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat, with supporters from several districts expected to join the procession as it moves towards Islamabad.
Speaking about the planned movement, Afridi said the long march would formally begin from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat. He said people from Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Bannu and Lakki Marwat would participate in the initial stage of the march.
According to the chief minister, the procession is scheduled to leave Gandi Chowk at around 1pm. He said the participation of residents from southern districts would give the march a strong beginning as the convoy proceeds towards its next destination.
Afridi said the participants would travel through the region during the day and were expected to reach the vicinity of Karak by night. The convoy would then establish a temporary camp near Karak, where participants would spend the night before resuming their journey.
The chief minister further announced that the people of Karak would join the procession on October 5 at noon. He described the expected participation from Karak as an important part of the next phase of the march.
The announcement comes as PTI continues preparations for its long march to Islamabad, with party supporters mobilising across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The movement has drawn political attention as the party seeks to demonstrate its support on the streets while maintaining pressure on the federal government.
Afridi’s remarks indicate that the PTI leadership intends to build the procession gradually, bringing supporters from different districts together as the convoy advances. The participation of districts including Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat and the tribal districts could significantly increase the size of the procession during its initial journey.
The chief minister also emphasised the role of local communities in the march, saying residents from the southern parts of the province would join the convoy at different points. The planned route is expected to bring together supporters from areas with strong political engagement with PTI.
The first stage from Lakki Marwat is therefore being presented by the provincial leadership as a mobilisation effort rather than simply a journey from one location to another. Supporters are expected to gather at designated points before moving forward with the main convoy.
The development comes amid heightened political activity surrounding the PTI’s planned march and its demands from the federal government. The party has been organising its workers and supporters in preparation for the movement, while government authorities have also been monitoring developments related to the planned gathering.
Afridi’s latest statement suggests that the provincial leadership is focused on ensuring participation from across southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The scheduled stop near Karak will provide another opportunity for supporters to join the procession before it continues towards its next destination.
With the first phase beginning from Lakki Marwat, attention will now turn to the size of the gathering at Gandi Chowk, the participation of supporters from neighbouring districts and the progress of the convoy towards Karak.
The PTI leadership is expected to provide further updates as the march progresses. The participation announced for October 5 in Karak will be closely watched as the procession moves into its next stage.
