The PTI long march to Islamabad has been scheduled for September 27, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi saying the party’s central and provincial leadership, along with the Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) alliance, has agreed on the date. The announcement comes amid internal discussions and questions over the timing of the planned protest.
Speaking to Hamid Mir on Geo News programme Capital Talk, Afridi said representatives from PTI leadership across the country were involved in the decision. He stressed that the date was not decided by the provincial leadership alone but was agreed upon with the party’s central leadership and allied political group.
Leadership Backs the Date
According to Afridi, the PTI long march has the backing of the party’s political leadership at both the provincial and central levels.
His comments came after Aleema Khan, the sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, reportedly questioned why the protest had been scheduled for September 27 instead of an earlier date.
Afridi described Aleema Khan as a non-political figure and said she was speaking primarily as Imran Khan’s sister. He expressed confidence that he could explain the reasons behind the selected date and address her concerns.
The chief minister said the party leadership had considered relevant facts and figures before reaching the decision.
Afridi Rejects Secret Deal Claims
The timing of the PTI long march has also triggered allegations from some PTI supporters and leaders based overseas.
Some have claimed that Afridi agreed to the September 27 date after reaching a secret understanding with government officials. Afridi strongly rejected the allegation, calling it baseless and misleading.
He urged people making such accusations to contact him directly before discussing them publicly.
Afridi argued that people genuinely committed to Imran Khan and PTI should avoid spreading claims without first verifying the facts.
The chief minister specifically rejected an allegation that he had met Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and another official on August 4 before announcing the march date.
Explanation of August 4 Activities
Responding to the allegation, Afridi said he was in Islamabad on August 4 and had spent the afternoon at KP House.
According to the chief minister, he attended meetings between noon and 4:30pm concerning the province’s Pado KP and telemedicine initiatives.
He therefore denied that the alleged meeting with government officials had taken place in Peshawar.
Afridi described the claims as completely baseless and said his whereabouts on that day could be verified through the meetings he attended.
His clarification was aimed at rejecting speculation that the PTI long march date had been agreed upon through negotiations outside the party’s formal political structure.
PTI Calls March a Last Option
The announcement follows comments by PTI leader Shafi Jan, who said the party had no option left other than taking its protest movement to Islamabad.
Speaking on Geo News programme Naya Pakistan, Jan said the planned march would begin in Peshawar and involve a large number of PTI supporters.
He claimed that the party hoped to mobilise around two million people for the demonstration.
Jan said PTI workers had continued protesting because, in his view, their concerns were not receiving an adequate response. He described the upcoming PTI long march as the party’s last option and said its impact would be felt across Pakistan.
Imran Khan Remains Central to Protest
The planned demonstration is closely linked to PTI’s demand for the release of party founder Imran Khan.
The former prime minister has remained in prison since August 2023 following several convictions and legal proceedings. Imran Khan and PTI have repeatedly rejected allegations against him and described several cases as politically motivated.
Some of his convictions have been suspended or overturned, while other appeals and cases remain before the courts.
His imprisonment has remained one of the central issues driving PTI’s political campaign and street protests.
What September 27 Could Mean
The PTI long march could become a major political event if the party succeeds in mobilising the large number of supporters its leaders have promised.
The government’s response, the size of the turnout and the conduct of the protest will likely determine its political impact.
For PTI, the march represents an attempt to increase pressure over its political and legal demands. For the government, it could create another major challenge involving public order and political stability.
Sohail Afridi insists that the September 27 date has broad support within PTI and its allied group. As preparations continue, the focus will remain on whether the party can translate its announced support into a large and peaceful mobilisation in Islamabad.
