Urdu Report Desk
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march, led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, reached Peshawar on Thursday evening on its fifth day.
According to PTI, the convoy reached the Hayatabad Toll Plaza, where a large number of party workers welcomed the chief minister.
The long march is aimed at demanding the release of PTI founder Imran Khan from jail. It began in Lakki Marwat on October 4, with several changes made to its route and planned destinations since then.
Charsadda Next Destination
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said the convoy would proceed to Charsadda after Peshawar, where he would share some details about the party’s next course of action. He said the complete plan would be announced once the convoy reaches Swabi.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan said the long march would continue according to the announced schedule. He said gatherings would be held in Mardan on October 10 and Swabi on October 11, after which the party leadership would decide the next course of action.
Chief Minister Urges Workers to Continue Struggle
Addressing workers at the Hayatabad Toll Plaza, Sohail Afridi urged them to remain committed to the struggle.
He said the participants could face difficulties, but the pain and hardship faced by Imran Khan in jail were greater.
Afridi said he would not hesitate to sacrifice his life for the struggle for Imran Khan’s release. A video released by PTI also showed the chief minister leading slogans calling for Imran Khan’s release.
March’s Journey So Far
The PTI march began in Lakki Marwat on October 4 and reached Kohat on the second day. The convoy stayed overnight in Mattani, on the outskirts of Peshawar, on October 6.
On October 7, the convoy reached Khyber before moving towards Peshawar.
Mobile Services Disrupted
Ahead of the protesters’ arrival, mobile and cellular internet services were reportedly disrupted in some areas of Peshawar.
A Pakistan Telecommunication Authority official confirmed that the services had been temporarily suspended on the instructions of higher authorities.
The disruption also led some private schools to remain closed on Thursday, while government schools, colleges and universities remained open.
The private schools’ regulatory authority said no order had been issued for schools to close and warned that action would be taken against institutions that violated the directives.
Barrister Gohar’s Position
Speaking to the media in Charsadda, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan said his party had never supported terrorism.
He said the country’s counterterrorism policy needed to be reviewed in light of changing circumstances.
Gohar called for political issues to be resolved through constitutional and democratic means and urged the government and opposition to engage in meaningful and unconditional dialogue.
Court Seeks Chief Minister’s Response
Meanwhile, the Peshawar High Court sought Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s response to a contempt petition alleging that he violated an earlier court order by using a government helicopter to participate in the PTI long march.
The petitioner asked the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the chief minister and sought details regarding permission for the helicopter’s use, flight records and expenses.
The hearing was subsequently adjourned.
