Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Supporters March Towards Islamabad Amid Tight Security
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, thousands of supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have reached the Kohat region in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province as part of their ongoing protest rally in support of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Data published by Mehr News Agency, citing the Daily Dawn newspaper, confirmed the progression of the rally.
The PTI rally reached the Lachi area of Kohat on Monday evening, where the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sohail Afredi, addressed the gathered supporters. Afredi emphasized the need for the movement to continue, stating that the party’s struggle would be prolonged and require sustained endurance and mobilization.
Participants are scheduled to continue their journey from Kohat towards Peshawar on Tuesday, spending the night in the Matani area on the outskirts of Peshawar. The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa urged the residents of Kohat to actively participate in the rally, ensuring the region matches the turnout of others.
Afredi further declared, “The message must be conveyed clearly: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa belongs to Imran Khan and will remain with Imran Khan.” He announced that the caravan’s movement towards Peshawar would commence at 3 PM from University Square.
This march was initiated following the unsuccessful conclusion of negotiations between PTI and the federal government concerning various disputes, particularly regarding policies to combat terrorism. Afredi also issued a warning, stating that if the situation deteriorates, neither he nor anyone else would be able to control the populace.
The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa underscored, “We will not accept any decision made behind closed doors or contrary to our views, our province, or Pakistan.” According to the announced schedule, the convoy of protesters will proceed from Kohat towards Peshawar, then move from the Charsadda interchange route towards Khairabad.
The caravan is expected to reach Khairabad by October 8th. However, Sohail Afredi has not yet disclosed the details of the final phase of the movement towards the capital, Islamabad, stating that the plan for the next stage will be announced in Khairabad.
Meanwhile, Ali Amin Gandapur, the former Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who was leading another convoy of party supporters from Dera Ismail Khan towards Lakki Marwat, altered his route due to blocked roads and security conditions in the Yarrik area. He referenced the implementation of Section 144 regulations in the region and stated that party leadership had instructed supporters to refrain from damaging public property and from any actions that could worsen the situation.
In Karachi, PTI’s protest events in various areas were disrupted by the deployment of police forces, the blocking of several roads, and the arrest of a number of party supporters and leaders.
