Peshawar (Web Desk): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Friday announced on Friday that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march towards Islamabad had been rescheduled from September 27 to October 4.
In a statement, Afridi said: “Our [PTI] long march [towards Islamabad] will depart from Peshawar on October 4.”
Earlier, reports had indicated that the Imran Khan-founded party was considering delaying its planned march on the federal capital until October 5.
PTI is gearing up for a large-scale protest and march in Islamabad, demanding the release of its imprisoned founder Imran Khan and what the party calls the restoration of constitutional supremacy.
Before announcing the new date, Afridi spoke by telephone with Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai to seek his advice on the proposed march, sources said.
According to the sources, Afridi informed Achakzai that PTI leaders believed the long march should be deferred.
Achakzai, however, maintained that the September 27 protest call should continue as planned, the sources added.
He said a final decision regarding the September 27 action plan would be taken following further consultations.
The announcement came only hours after KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi disclosed that discussions had taken place over the possible imposition of governor’s rule in the province, as the opposition intensified preparations for its nationwide protest and march towards Islamabad.
Speaking to the media in Peshawar, Kundi said governor’s rule could be imposed in the province, pointing out that the Constitution contained provisions allowing for such a step.
“Consultations have taken place for governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he said.
Meanwhile, several major highways and motorways connecting Islamabad have either been shut or placed under restrictions ahead of the PTI march that had been scheduled for Sunday.
The federal government has also approved the deployment of Rangers in the capital and several districts of Punjab to maintain law and order during the planned political demonstrations.
“PTI people are giving themselves up for arrest,” Kundi said during his media interaction, claiming that party workers were now “looking for a way out”.
The KP governor also alleged that the provincial administration was seeking to turn the police into a “tiger force”.
“They want to bring the police under their control,” Kundi said, adding that a former chief minister had made a similar attempt in the past.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has once again approached opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai with an invitation to enter into talks, sources said.
According to the sources, the latest letter from the prime minister also proposes a meeting with Achakzai and includes discussions about appointments to the Election Commission.
TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Yousafzai confirmed that the opposition had received the letter, but said the government appeared to be retreating from assurances given during earlier meetings.
“We have received the letter. We expect Rana Sanaullah and others to stand by their word,” Yousafzai said.