Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has offered talks to the federal government following PTI’s decision to postpone its Islamabad long march.
The march, initially planned for September 27, will now begin from Peshawar on October 4, according to Afridi. PTI’s political committee agreed to the revised date as the party continued preparations for its protest.
Speaking to senior journalists in Peshawar, Afridi said political issues should be resolved through mutual understanding. He urged the federal government to use the additional time for negotiations.
“If the federal government wants to resolve the issue within seven days, it should do so through mutual understanding.”
He questioned why negotiations should wait until after the march.
“If negotiations have to be held after the long march, why not do them before?”
“We want the issue to be resolved,” the chief minister added.
Why Did PTI Postpone the Islamabad March?
Afridi said PTI’s political committee had decided to give the federal government additional time.
He described the delay as part of the party’s “strategy”. PTI’s KP information secretary Shaukat Yousafzai similarly called the postponement “a political strategy”.
Yousafzai said the government had deployed thousands of police personnel and placed containers ahead of the planned march. He said PTI had therefore changed its approach while maintaining its support for peaceful political struggle.
“We have changed our political strategy. We support a peaceful struggle,” he added.
According to Yousafzai, the federal government would eventually have to negotiate with PTI. He urged the government to move beyond “ego, stubbornness and the intoxication of political power”.
“The government negotiates, but it does so on television channels,” he said. He added that PTI would engage in talks if the government pursued negotiations practically.
PTI Keeps Imran Khan’s Release Among Demands
PTI continues to demand the release of its founder, Imran Khan, alongside what it describes as constitutional supremacy.
Yousafzai said the party’s demand also includes medical treatment for Khan in accordance with court orders.
The PTI leader further criticised what he described as federal interference in provincial affairs. He argued that the 18th Amendment limits federal involvement in matters assigned to provinces.
“Provincial ministers are being picked up here. The federal government has created a law of the jungle,” he said.
Yousafzai also criticised Federal Minister Attaullah Tarar’s remarks concerning Afridi. He additionally referred to an earlier statement by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz regarding the provinces.
Afridi Says JUI-F Chief Would Be Welcome
During his interaction with journalists, Afridi was asked about the possibility of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman joining the protest.
The KP chief executive said the opposition leader would be welcomed if he decided to participate.
“If Maulana Fazlur Rehman comes to us, we will welcome him.”
The statement comes as PTI continues discussions over its planned march and broader political strategy. The party has said its revised plan involves starting the march from Peshawar on October 4.
Afridi Comments on His Chief Ministership
Afridi also addressed questions about his position as KP chief minister. He said he would not be concerned even if he lost the office for Imran Khan.
“If I am disqualified, the PTI founder will decide my replacement,” he said.
His remarks came amid the wider political dispute between PTI and the federal government.
PTI Leaves Door Open for Negotiations
The latest statements indicate that PTI is keeping negotiations on the table while preparing for its revised march date.
Afridi has specifically called for talks before the march rather than waiting until afterward. Meanwhile, Yousafzai said the party supports a peaceful political struggle and remains prepared to negotiate.
For now, PTI’s announced plan is to begin its Islamabad long march from Peshawar on October 4.
The federal government’s response to Afridi’s offer will determine whether talks take place before the revised protest date.
For the latest updates, visit and follow The Truth International website (www.thetruthinternational.com) and subscribe to the YouTube Channel.
