CM Afridi Rejects Governor's Rule, Emergency as PTI Long March Moves Through K-P
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has rejected any move to impose governor’s rule or an emergency in the province, as the PTI long march he launched on Sunday kept moving through the province toward Islamabad.
Addressing party workers as the caravan reached the Bannu-Karak border, Afridi said neither governor’s rule nor an emergency would be accepted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The march is being held to demand the release of jailed PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan.
PTI long march sets off from Lakki Marwat
Afridi launched the march on Sunday afternoon from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat, after arriving by helicopter. Addressing thousands of supporters, he said the party would “not accept” any policy that went against the interests of the people of KP.
“They wanted their will to prevail in KP, but I declared that only Imran Khan’s vision and policies would be implemented here,” he said. “We are not ‘yes-men’; we are soldiers of Imran Khan, and we will carry forward his policies.”
The chief minister said the PTI’s negotiating committee had gone to Islamabad to lower the political temperature, but “those making decisions behind closed doors” had sabotaged the talks. He repeatedly asked the crowd whether it supported a military operation, and asked those opposed to raise their hands.
Questioning the policy used to tackle terrorism, Afridi asked: “What kind of policy is this, where terrorism has persisted for 22 years?” He claimed there had been peace during Imran’s government because his policies were sound, and said that “if our policy is implemented, we will restore peace within 100 days”.
When he told the crowd the march would start at Gandi Chowk and conclude at another chowk, supporters chanted “D-Chowk”, the protest site in Islamabad.
Helicopter row and the march route
Afridi’s arrival by helicopter drew sharp criticism. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar called the use of a “state helicopter for a political march” a violation of Islamabad High Court orders. “Terrorism is spreading in the province and Nero is playing his flute,” Tarar wrote on X.
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi called it contempt of court, while Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi wrote sarcastically that the “heli ride” must have been for official counterterrorism work.
Former KP chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur led a procession from Dera Ismail Khan to join the march, urging participants to stay peaceful. “Those who block roads or engage in confrontation are not our workers,” he said.
Caravans from Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, the two Waziristans, Bannu and Lakki Marwat joined at Gandi Chowk. The caravan halts near Karak on Sunday night, reaches Kohat on October 5 and Peshawar on October 6, then gathers at Khairabad on October 8, where the plan for the next phase will be announced.
Section 144 has been imposed in several districts along the route, including Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Hangu and parts of Waziristan, restricting movement of people and vehicles on specified roads.
The march follows the collapse of weekend talks between the government and the PTI. Naqvi has blamed Afridi for the breakdown and warned he would be “responsible” if anyone died during the march, while Rana Sanaullah has warned the protesters will not be allowed to enter Islamabad.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the PTI holding a long march?
The march demands the release of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan. Announced in August for September 27, it was postponed to October 4 by the party’s political committee.
What is the route of the PTI long march?
It started at Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat on October 4, passes through Karak, Kohat and Peshawar, and gathers at Khairabad on October 8, where the next phase toward Islamabad will be announced.
Has the government imposed any restrictions?
Yes. Section 144 has been imposed in several KP districts, including Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Hangu and parts of Waziristan, restricting movement on specified routes.
What did Afridi say about governor’s rule?
As the caravan moved through K-P, Afridi rejected both governor’s rule and an emergency in the province, saying only Imran Khan’s vision and policies would be implemented there.
