PTI postpones Islamabad long march to October 4

F.P. Report PESHAWAR : Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has postponed its planned long march towards Islamabad from September 27 to October 4, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced on Friday. The decision was taken during a meeting of the party's political committee after discussions over the planned mobilisation and preparations by the federal government. Afridi said the march would now depart from Peshawar on October 4. 'Our long march [towards Islamabad] will depart from Peshawar on October 4,' Afridi said, adding that Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas had been informed of the political committee's unanimous decision. The development followed reports that PTI was considering postponing the September 27 protest. Party sources said members of the political committee had discussed concerns over possible clashes and the federal government's preparations to restrict the movement of the march towards Islamabad. According to reports from the party meeting, two alternative dates had initially been discussed, October 5 and October 10. The political committee subsequently agreed to defer the march, with Afridi later confirming October 4 as the new departure date. Afridi had also held discussions with Achakzai regarding the proposed change. Earlier reports indicated that PTI leaders favoured postponement, while Achakzai had advised that the September 27 call should remain in place. PTI's provincial information secretary Shaukat Yousafzai had earlier rejected reports of a postponement, saying the party was prepared for the September 27 march. He had said any change could be considered if the federal government agreed to negotiations with PTI. The party had also maintained that the planned protest would remain peaceful. PTI has been demanding the release of its incarcerated founder Imran Khan and what it describes as restoration of constitutional supremacy. Security measures The announcement also comes amid heightened security preparations around Islamabad and routes connecting the capital with other parts of the country. Major highways and motorways leading towards Islamabad have been closed or restricted, while the federal government has authorised the deployment of Rangers in the capital and several districts of Punjab ahead of political demonstrations. KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has separately said consultations have taken place over the possibility of imposing governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said the Constitution provided for such a measure and that discussions had been held on the issue. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has again reached out to opposition leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai with an offer for talks, according to sources. A letter reportedly sought a meeting between the two leaders and also discussed appointments to the Election Commission. TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Yousafzai confirmed receipt of the letter. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, meanwhile, challenged PTI to proceed with its planned sit-in or long march in Islamabad. He also levelled allegations against the KP government and PTI over terrorism-related matters, claims rejected by the opposition party.