PTI march to begin from Lakki Marwat toward Islamabad on Friday
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has announced that its march will begin on October 4 from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat and, after passing through several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, will continue toward Islamabad. The announcement comes after talks between the federal government and the party on delaying or calling off the movement ended without agreement, with government officials citing security concerns.
The published schedule shows that the convoy will stop in Karak district on October 4 and will reach Kohat the next day. The route will reach the Matni area near Peshawar on October 6, and on the morning of October 7 the convoy will move from Peshawar toward Swabi. Convoys from Malakand, Hazara and tribal areas are expected to join the march in Swabi.
Sohaib Afridi, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and leader of the movement, has called it a “jihad against oppression” and “a battle for Pakistan’s future.” He has urged supporters to take part in the march peacefully, in an orderly manner and without weapons, and to avoid clashes.
PTI leaders say the movement is part of a political struggle for the release of Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi and other jailed party members, and that they do not intend to back down. The government has called for the march to be stopped and says its concern stems from the possibility of unrest along routes leading to Islamabad.
At the same time, some routes along the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border have been closed and the presence of security forces has been increased. The government has also warned that armed groups could exploit large gatherings; however, party leaders say the convoys will move according to plan.
PTI has also said it collected 40 million rupees in public donations in one day. According to party leaders, the funds were raised mainly during a financial campaign in Peshawar, with the participation of members, provincial lawmakers and political activists.
