Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has launched a long march from the Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to press for demands including access to Imran Khan for party leaders and the provision of medical treatment for him.
Addressing the gathering, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi stated that his government would not accept any new policy regarding military operations or drone strikes in the province, emphasizing that decisions concerning Khyber Pakhtunkhwa must align with the wishes of the people.
PTI has expressed regret over the inconclusive outcome of negotiations between the government and the joint negotiating team representing PTI and the Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain-e-Pakistan (Movement for the Protection of Pakistan’s Constitution).
According to PTI, a major stumbling block in the talks was the demand for access to Imran Khan—enabling party leadership to consult him on critical political and national issues—which the government refused to include in the agreement.
Speaking to the long march participants, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced that the caravan would depart from Karak on Monday for the next leg of its journey. He noted that the people of Karak have consistently demonstrated political consciousness and awareness.
Sohail Afridi remarked that anyone advocating for an independent judiciary, a free media, and the supremacy of the constitution and law is often dismissed as naive, even though the public supports these very ideals. He asserted that the massive public turnout serves as proof that the people endorse their stance. Criticizing the ruling class in his speech, the Chief Minister remarked that, in their view, those who engage in corruption and compromise national interests are considered “wise.” Referencing the issues faced by Pashtuns, military operations, and drone strikes, he stated that while raising his voice on these matters invites criticism, he will not back down from his stance.
He declared that he would say “absolutely not” to any force that makes decisions contrary to the interests of the Pashtun people. He noted that PTI founder Imran Khan, his wife, and other party leaders are enduring unjust imprisonment—a sacrifice made for the sake of the country’s youth and the future of the general public.
Sohail Afridi appealed to the public to join the movement for the sake of their own future and a better tomorrow for their children; otherwise, the ruling class would continue to control the people’s resources. He emphasized the need to send a clear message to powerful quarters that decisions made behind closed doors are unacceptable.
According to the Chief Minister, the long march’s next stop will be Kohat, with the future course of action to be announced upon reaching Swabi. He claimed that the arrival of the caravan in Swabi would cause the “powerful” to lose their sleep.
Concluding his address, Sohail Afridi stated that the objective of this movement is to achieve success and to liberate the judiciary, parliament, and media.
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