PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march towards Islamabad moved into its next phase on Monday after the convoy, led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, spent the night in Karak.
The march was launched from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat on Sunday as PTI workers and supporters began their journey towards Islamabad to demand the release of party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan.
The convoy covered around 80 kilometres during its first leg before reaching Karak late Sunday night. A large camp was established at Jail Chowk, where protesters stayed overnight.
Participants from Bannu, North Waziristan, South Waziristan, Lakki Marwat, Tank and other adjoining districts joined the march. Participants from Dera Ismail Khan also joined individually, while caravans travelling from Balochistan through Zhob joined the procession at Yarik after crossing roadblocks.
However, a caravan led by former KP chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur could not reach the march in time.
The PTI convoy is scheduled to leave Karak and move towards Kohat as part of its planned route to Islamabad. KP Information Minister Shafi Jan said the caravan would spend Monday night at Lachi Ground near Kohat.
Mobile phone and mobile internet services have been completely suspended in Karak and surrounding areas amid heightened security measures.
The march began after CM Sohail Afridi addressed thousands of supporters in Lakki Marwat and said PTI would not accept any policy that was against the interests of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Pashtuns.
Afridi said the PTI negotiating committee had attempted to reduce political tensions in Islamabad, but alleged that those making decisions behind closed doors had undermined the talks.
He also criticised the government’s counterterrorism policy and questioned the continuation of militancy in KP. Afridi claimed that terrorism could be eliminated within 100 days if the PTI’s proposed policy was implemented.
The PTI has proceeded with the march despite warnings from the federal government that it would prevent violent gatherings in the capital.
According to the party’s roadmap, participants from Kohat, Hangu, Kurram and Orakzai are expected to join the caravan on October 6. The march will then move towards Peshawar and is scheduled to spend the night at Matni.
On October 7, participants from Khyber district and different parts of Peshawar are expected to welcome the convoy at Kohat Road Bridge and the motorway toll plaza at Budhber. The caravan will subsequently move towards Charsadda Interchange.
Participants from Charsadda and Mohmand are scheduled to join the march on October 8, while caravans from across KP are expected to converge at Khairabad.
Meanwhile, authorities have intensified security arrangements along the expected route. A large number of containers have been placed on roads in Attock and Taxila to prevent the PTI convoy from advancing towards Islamabad.
Bags filled with soil and stones have also been gathered at various points to block roads, while security personnel have been deployed at sensitive locations.
The PTI is expected to announce its next course of action after reaching Khairabad, depending on the prevailing political and administrative situation.
