The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf formally began its long march towards Islamabad on October 4. The decision came after negotiations with the federal government ended in deadlock. The first convoy departed from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi led the opening convoy. The march is planned as a phased mobilisation across the province. Participants will travel through Karak, Kohat and Peshawar before converging at Khairabad later in the week. Party workers from nearby districts are expected to join along the route.
Demands of the march
At the centre of the PTI’s demands is the release of party founder Imran Khan. The party also wants hospital-based medical examinations by his personal doctors. It seeks better healthcare arrangements for Bushra Bibi.
The PTI is also demanding the release of Khan’s sisters and detained party workers. Party leaders say the protest will continue until their demands are met. They accuse the government of denying basic rights to their leaders.
Government response
The federal government has made extensive security arrangements in the capital. Routes leading into Islamabad have been fortified with containers. Police and paramilitary forces are on high alert.
Officials said any unlawful activity during the march would be dealt with under the law. Earlier, a second round of talks was held in National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq’s chamber. The sitting ran for more than four hours but ended without an agreement. Both sides blamed each other for the failure of the talks. A new round of talks has not been announced so far.
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