Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has invited people from across Pakistan to join PTI’s long march at Swabi Interchange on October 11. The party plans to announce its next steps in the protest demanding the release of its founder, Imran Khan.
However, the march’s final destination remains uncertain despite its initial focus on Islamabad. Since launching on October 4, the protest route has changed several times, while the march has remained within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Afridi has also dismissed federal government warnings as “empty threats”. Addressing participants travelling towards Charsadda, he said, “we have to go elsewhere as well after Swabi”. He also claimed the government “cannot harm the workers after they will cross the province’s boundary”.
PTI Plans Further March Movements From Swabi
Speaking after reaching Charsadda, Afridi outlined plans for different PTI convoys to converge at Swabi Interchange. According to a statement from his office, convoys from Peshawar and Malakand divisions would reach the interchange on October 13.
The chief minister said the party would announce a separate course of action for Hazara Division on the same day. Meanwhile, convoys from Kohat Division would also head towards Swabi.
Participants from Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan divisions would join the march along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor route. Afridi urged people to participate in what he described as the “struggle for Haqiqi Azadi and sovereignty”.
The march began after weekend talks between PTI and the federal government failed to resolve their differences. Counterterrorism policy remained a key point of disagreement between the two sides.
Federal ministers have warned PTI against taking the march beyond Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They have also linked the provincial government’s differences with the Centre over counterterrorism policy to the possibility of an emergency or governor’s rule.
Afridi Criticises Federal Government Over Security and Economy
During his address, Afridi said he wanted to present the public with a record of the federal government’s performance since Imran Khan’s removal as prime minister in 2022.
“Following the regime change operation, Pakistan’s economic indicators have been showing a negative trend. Pakistan has risen to the top of the Global Terrorism Index, and the country is now bearing the consequences of decisions taken behind closed doors,” he remarked.
Afridi also discussed security operations conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the years. He claimed authorities had carried out 14,000 intelligence-based operations and 22 major military operations between 2004 and 2026.
“Yet, terrorism has not been eliminated,” he said.
The chief minister said residents, police officers and military personnel continued to make daily sacrifices amid the security situation. He also expressed frustration over what he described as the federal government’s failure to consider his recommendations.
“Whenever I spoke about formulating a policy to eliminate terrorism, my recommendations are not given due consideration.”
Additionally, Afridi criticised the Centre over what he described as the non-provision of funds to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Governor Kundi Challenges PTI to Cross Swabi
Earlier, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi challenged PTI protesters to cross Swabi and continue their march towards Punjab. Swabi borders Attock district in Punjab and has become a key point in the party’s announced route.
During a press conference in Peshawar, Kundi questioned whether PTI would reach Swabi as planned. He suggested the convoy might travel through other locations instead.
“They are probably going to Charsadda today, then they might go to Mardan, and after that they might end up reaching Afghanistan through Dir,” he said.
Kundi then challenged the party to demonstrate its commitment to the march.
“Because whenever they turn towards Swabi, their legs start shaking, and their hearts tremble […] If they have any self-respect, reach Swabi tomorrow and cross it, or even step inside it. I will accept that you are a revolutionary party that aims to make a naya (new) Pakistan.”
The governor also criticised PTI’s senior leadership, alleging that some leaders were “sitting in drawing rooms” in Islamabad while others were in “hiding”.
He questioned the party’s claims of successful mobilisation in Sindh and Punjab. “They say that they have run successful mobilisation campaigns across Sindh and Punjab; did you see anyone from these provinces on their long march’s truck?” he questioned.
Kundi Questions PTI’s Claims About Abductions
Kundi also responded to PTI’s allegations that provincial lawmakers and cabinet members were being “abducted”. He argued that Afridi should explain who was responsible, given his position as the province’s chief executive.
“You (KP CM Afridi) should tell who is abducting your ministers as you are the chief executive of the province.
“You cannot protect your ministers, MPAs, and MNAs; how will you protect my people, the province and the nation? This is your position.”
The governor called on Afridi and his cabinet to resign on “ethical grounds”. He also criticised the provincial government over reports of strikes involving doctors, teachers, nurses and municipal officers.
“They say that the SHOs do not listen to them; if no one listens to you, then why are you sitting [in the government]? Only to make money or for corruption,” he remarked.
Kundi further accused PTI of turning its protest into a spectacle. He described the march as “Lucky Irani Circus, travelling from city to city […] But whenever they turn to Swabi, they opt to take a U-turn”.
Governor Defends Meeting on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Security
The governor also defended his recent meeting with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s chief secretary and inspector general of police. The meeting focused on the province’s law and order situation and drew criticism from Afridi.
The chief minister had called for legislation allowing the governor’s impeachment, accusing him of “violating the Constitution”.
Kundi defended his decision to meet the provincial officials, saying, “I called the chief secretary and IG because we have no government on the ground in the province; they are busy in their circus.”
“My province is burning,” he continued, citing recent terrorist incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He also alleged that PTI had failed to condemn terrorism and lacked a plan to counter militant threats. These remarks reflected the continuing political dispute over the province’s security policy.
Kundi Addresses Possibility of Governor’s Rule
Responding to questions about a possible emergency or governor’s rule, Kundi said the president or prime minister would decide if circumstances justified such measures.
“Whenever the federal government will seek report on province’s situation; we will provide as per the information we have,” he added.
The governor also rejected the idea that a province could operate independently of the federal government, criticising PTI’s confrontational approach towards the Centre.
Kundi reiterated that counterterrorism remained his central priority and vowed to resist militant threats.
“We will protect our province and fight against terrorism on the front line. We will show such incompetent people […] how a province is run.”
He added that “terrorism is our red line,”, adding, “We cannot hand over this province to terrorists. This is our point agenda […] we will first talk about terrorism, and other things will follow.”
With PTI preparing for its planned gathering at Swabi Interchange, the march’s next direction remains unclear. Meanwhile, the exchange between Afridi and Kundi highlights the widening political disagreement over the protest, federal relations and security in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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