Urdu Report Desk
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has finalized an initial route for its October 4 protest march from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa toward Islamabad, but the party’s internal consultations indicate that the main challenge may be sustaining the protest over several days rather than mobilizing workers.
The plan includes establishing camps at multiple locations, arranging food and accommodation for participants and determining how the protesters will enter Punjab.
Initial Route From Dera Ismail Khan
According to discussions among PTI leaders, the march will begin in Dera Ismail Khan, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi expected to lead the procession.
Under the initial plan, the main convoy will travel from Dera Ismail Khan through Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Karak and Kohat before reaching Peshawar.
Convoys from North and South Waziristan, Kurram, Orakzai and Hangu are also expected to join the main march.
The procession will reach Peshawar through the Kohat Tunnel, where convoys from Khyber and Mohmand will also join. According to PTI leaders, the journey could take around two days.
From Peshawar to Swabi
A key feature of the current PTI plan is a proposal to extend the protest over several days rather than limit it to a one-day march.
After Peshawar, the march is planned to move toward Nowshera, with a temporary camp proposed at Khairabad.
A senior party leader said a temporary tent settlement could be established there. Khairabad is being considered an important point because the Attock area begins across the Indus River, making it a potential staging point on the route from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa toward Punjab.
Under the proposed next phase, the march would proceed through Jehangira to Swabi, where another camp could be established near the motorway toll plaza.
The party could then wait in Swabi to assess the situation and determine an appropriate time to move into Punjab.
Why Swabi Is Important
According to the internal consultations, Swabi is being considered not merely as a stop on the route but potentially as a location for a prolonged stay.
PTI leaders have discussed the possibility of remaining in Swabi for five to six days while waiting for conditions to become suitable for entering Punjab.
The plan indicates that the party is considering maintaining a sustained presence at different locations rather than attempting to reach Islamabad immediately.
However, keeping thousands of workers in Swabi for several days would create significant logistical requirements, including accommodation, food, security and transportation. These issues are also being discussed within the party.
Proposal for Five Tent Camps
Some PTI leaders have proposed establishing several tent camps rather than relying on a single central camp.
The initial proposal includes camps at Chashma in Dera Ismail Khan, near Mianwali in Lakki Marwat, Shakardarra in Kohat, Khairabad in Nowshera and near the motorway toll plaza in Swabi.
Party leaders believe that maintaining workers at multiple locations could allow the protest movement to remain active across several areas.
A senior leader said the arrangement would require the federal government to deal administratively with activity at multiple locations rather than at a single point.
At the same time, maintaining several camps would create additional challenges for PTI, as each location would require separate arrangements for food, water, accommodation, transportation and other basic facilities.
Entry Into Punjab Remains a Key Question
The most important and uncertain stage of the proposed march is the movement into Punjab.
According to PTI leaders, the party is concerned that large vehicles, buses and other forms of transportation could be prevented from entering Punjab.
As a result, the use of motorcycles is also being considered as part of the plan.
Under the initial proposal, workers could attempt to enter Punjab on motorcycles through relatively smaller routes instead of relying entirely on large vehicles and main highways.
According to sources, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister has also instructed party members to arrange a large number of motorcycles for the march.
Four Key Questions Within PTI
Despite the proposed route, several practical questions remain under discussion within the party.
The first is how long workers would remain in the proposed tent camps.
The second concerns who would arrange food and accommodation for thousands of workers over several days.
The third is whether a sustained transportation arrangement is available for workers arriving from different districts.
The fourth and most important question concerns PTI’s alternative strategy if routes into Punjab are blocked.
These questions remain significant because the route from Dera Ismail Khan to Swabi is relatively clear, while the strategy beyond Swabi has yet to be finalized.
Chief Minister’s Role
Another significant aspect of the plan is the direct involvement of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
According to party leaders, Afridi will begin leading the march from Dera Ismail Khan and is expected to remain involved during different stages of the protest.
His presence would provide political leadership to the march, while a protest lasting several days could also create an administrative challenge in balancing the provincial government’s responsibilities with party activities.
Final Plan Yet to Be Announced
PTI has not yet announced the final plan for the October 4 protest. According to the party leadership, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister will announce the final strategy on Friday.
So far, the proposed plan indicates that the march will travel from Dera Ismail Khan through Peshawar and Nowshera before reaching Swabi, where participants could remain for several days.
The practical shape of the October 4 protest will depend on how many workers remain with the march, how the camps and logistics are managed, and what arrangements are made for entering Punjab.
