The PTI long march has taken an unexpected turn, with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announcing a change in the protesters’ route.
The march was initially planned to move towards Peshawar. However, Afridi said the protesters would now head towards Khyber before proceeding to Peshawar.
Speaking to participants at University Chowk in Kohat on Tuesday, the chief minister described the route change as part of the party’s broader strategy. He also indicated that Islamabad remains the eventual destination if the PTI leadership decides to move towards the federal capital.
PTI Changes Long March Route
Afridi said the PTI had initially planned to take the long march towards Peshawar. However, the party has now changed its immediate direction.
According to the chief minister, the march will first move towards Khyber and then continue towards Peshawar. He presented the decision as a strategic move rather than a retreat from the party’s broader plans.
“We are playing a Test match; there are still many overs and players left. The change in route is part of the PTI’s strategy,” the CM said while addressing participants of the protest at University Chowk in Kohat on the third day of the march before departing for the next destination.
Afridi also pointed to the earlier change in the march schedule. The PTI had initially planned the march for September 27 but later moved the date to October 4.
He said the postponement had triggered a strong reaction from the authorities. Meanwhile, he suggested that officials were now concerned about how long the ongoing protest could continue.
Islamabad Remains a Future Destination
Although the immediate route has changed, Afridi made it clear that Islamabad remains part of the PTI’s plans.
He said the march would eventually move towards the federal capital when the party decided to do so. Afridi also issued a strong warning about the PTI’s ability to mobilise its supporters.
“When we say we are going to Islamabad, no one will be able to stop us.”
The chief minister therefore linked the current movement with the party’s wider political campaign. At the same time, he maintained that the PTI would continue its long march despite the change in direction.
Afridi said the party had already exhausted constitutional and legal avenues. As a result, he argued, it was now compelled to take its campaign to the streets to seek justice for former prime minister Imran Khan.
He also claimed that the era of what he described as “fake, imposed and mandate-stealing rulers” was nearing its end.
Afridi Vows to Continue PTI Protest
While addressing the participants in Kohat, Afridi thanked the local population for showing what he called enthusiasm and patriotism.
He said PTI workers would not be intimidated by anyone. Furthermore, he portrayed the participation of young supporters as evidence of continued resistance within the province.
“My young people, your chief minister is not afraid of anyone, and the youth of my Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa are also not afraid of anyone,” he said.
Afridi also reiterated the PTI’s stated objective of securing Imran Khan’s release from prison and returning him to the office of prime minister.
According to the chief minister, the country would experience development and prosperity under Khan’s leadership. He also referred to the period between 2018 and 2022, claiming that Pakistan enjoyed peace during those years.
Afridi said Imran Khan had not compromised the country’s interests during that period.
Seven-Point Demands of Long March
The chief minister also defended the demands behind the PTI long march.
He said the party’s seven-point demands had already been made public on social media. He then challenged critics to identify even one demand that was unconstitutional or illegal.
Afridi specifically referred to demands concerning Imran Khan’s medical treatment, a meeting with him and his release according to the law.
He argued that none of these demands violated the Constitution or the law. He also questioned why courts were not hearing Khan’s cases.
According to Afridi, if the cases were heard, Imran Khan would be released within an hour.
The chief minister further alleged that Khan remained in prison because he had refused to submit to powerful figures in Pakistan and abroad. He also claimed that restrictions had been placed on Khan’s name and image in the national media despite his popularity.
Afridi Raises Concerns Over Imran Khan’s Health
Afridi also expressed concern over reports regarding Imran Khan’s health.
He alleged that Khan’s health was being “played with” and warned that the jail administration, prime minister and other relevant officials would be responsible if any harm came to the PTI founder.
The chief minister connected the issue with the PTI’s broader demand for access to Khan. He maintained that the party had repeatedly sought opportunities for communication and meetings with its founder.
Afridi also argued that courts, assemblies and state institutions operate using taxpayers’ money. Therefore, he said, citizens have the right to demand justice from these institutions.
“If the courts do not provide justice, the people will seek justice on the streets,” he said.
Afridi Says Legal Options Were Exhausted
Afridi maintained that the PTI had used available democratic, constitutional and legal channels before turning to street protests.
He said he had repeatedly approached the authorities since becoming chief minister and requested a meeting with Imran Khan.
According to Afridi, he also contacted the prime minister regarding the matter. He said he was told that the request would be considered, but no meeting was subsequently arranged.
The K-P Assembly later passed a resolution seeking permission for Afridi to meet Imran Khan. Despite that step, he said the meeting did not take place.
Afridi also said he approached the chief justice of Pakistan regarding the matter. However, according to his account, he did not receive a response.
PTI March Continues After Route Change
The PTI’s decision to alter the immediate route has added another turn to the ongoing long march. Instead of moving directly towards Peshawar, the protesters are now heading towards Khyber before continuing towards the provincial capital.
Afridi has described the change as a strategic decision while stressing that the wider objective of the movement remains unchanged.
For now, the march will proceed according to the revised route. However, the chief minister has made clear that Islamabad could become the next major destination whenever the PTI decides to move towards the federal capital.
The change in direction therefore does not signal an end to the march. Instead, Afridi has presented it as another stage in the PTI’s continuing campaign for Imran Khan’s release and what the party describes as justice through constitutional and democratic means.
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