Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has announced a change in the route of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) ongoing long march with the procession now set to move towards Khyber district instead of heading directly to Peshawar.
The announcement was made on Tuesday as the PTI-led convoy reached the third day of its journey. Addressing participants in Kohat, Afridi said the caravan would travel towards Khyber before moving on to Peshawar.
The route was reportedly changed after residents and supporters in Khyber district expressed a desire to receive the marchers. Under the earlier schedule, the convoy was expected to proceed from Kohat towards Peshawar and spend the night in the Mattani area.
Following Afridi’s brief address, the participants left Kohat and began their journey towards Khyber district.
The PTI chief minister also reiterated that the march would continue until the party’s founder and former prime minister, Imran Khan, is released from prison. The protest movement was launched from Lakki Marwat on October 4, with caravans from several southern districts joining the procession.
According to the previously announced schedule, the march was expected to pass through Kohat, Peshawar and Charsadda before reaching Khairabad on October 8. The party had planned to announce the next phase of the march at Khairabad.
The long march follows unsuccessful talks between PTI and the federal government over several issues including counterterrorism policy. The government has opposed the planned gathering in Islamabad and has taken security measures in anticipation of the protest.
The latest route change adds another development to the PTI’s ongoing mobilisation campaign. The convoy’s movement through Khyber district before proceeding towards Peshawar is expected to bring additional supporters into the march.
Afridi has continued to urge PTI supporters to participate, while maintaining that the party’s campaign will continue in pursuit of its stated demand for Imran Khan’s release.
