PTI Long March Reaches Mardan, Afridi Vows to Press On
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi rejected governor’s rule in the province on Saturday as the PTI’s long march reached Mardan on the seventh day of the protest caravan.
Addressing participants at Manga Bazaar in Mardan, Afridi vowed to continue the march and urged supporters to reach Swabi for the next phase of the protest, pressing ahead despite warnings from the federal government about crossing the provincial boundary.
The march’s route so far
The protest convoy set out from Lakki Marwat and has moved through several districts over the past week. It reached Charsadda on Friday, the sixth day, where Afridi promised supporters he would announce the “next plan of action” at Swabi on October 13.
According to the party’s announced schedule, supporters are being called to Swabi Interchange in the coming days, with October 13, 14 and later dates marked for successive gatherings from different regions of the country. The march has also drawn support from lawyers. The All Pakistan Lawyers Action Committee backed the protest on Friday, demanding Khan’s release and warning against governor’s rule.
Governor’s rule threat rejected
Afridi used the Mardan address to dismiss talk of governor’s rule or an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, telling the crowd that attempts to intimidate the marchers would not work. The PTI has been demanding the release of party founder Imran Khan, along with access for his family and personal doctors.
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has challenged the march’s direction, saying he doubted it would even reach Swabi, which borders Punjab’s Attock district. Kundi demanded the chief minister and his cabinet resign on ethical grounds and said the president and prime minister would decide on any emergency or governor’s rule.
Centre weighs its options
In Islamabad, the federal government is weighing its response. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met President Asif Ali Zardari at the Presidency on October 10 as the Centre considers the imposition of an emergency in KP. The National Assembly and Senate sessions have been summoned on Tuesday.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has accused the K-P government of neglecting governance, saying “hours meant for governance [are] spent plotting” for the march. Tarar has repeatedly argued that the provincial government should focus on counterterrorism instead of protests.
Earlier in the day, a separate political opening appeared when Shehbaz held a phone call with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to discuss easing tensions between the Centre and K-P, with a meeting expected at the PM House soon.
What happens next
All eyes are now on Swabi. Afridi’s promise of a “next plan of action” on October 13, after the march’s arrival there, will decide whether the protest turns towards Punjab or digs in within KP.
The federal government has so far ruled out concessions under pressure, and ministers have warned that protest tactics will not unlock relief for the jailed former prime minister. With the NA and Senate sessions coming on Tuesday, the political standoff between Islamabad and Peshawar looks set to deepen before it is resolved.
Frequently asked questions
Where has the PTI long march reached?
The march reached Mardan on Saturday, October 10, the seventh day of the protest. It reached Charsadda on Friday and is headed for Swabi next.
What did Afridi say in Mardan?
Addressing supporters at Manga Bazaar, CM Sohail Afridi rejected governor’s rule, vowed to continue the long march and urged supporters to reach Swabi for the next phase.
What is planned at Swabi?
Afridi has said he will announce the “next plan of action” at Swabi on October 13, with supporters from across Pakistan asked to gather at Swabi Interchange in the coming days.
Is the federal government considering emergency in KP?
Yes. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met President Asif Ali Zardari on October 10 as the Centre mulls the imposition of an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The governor has said the president and prime minister will decide on any emergency or governor’s rule.
