Lakki Marwat: PTI has begun the first phase of its protest march from Lakki Marwat after talks with the federal government failed to resolve differences between the two sides.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi launched the march from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat on Sunday. By late Sunday, the convoy had entered Karak district, where participants were scheduled to spend the night.
The march follows the collapse of government opposition negotiations aimed at reducing political tensions. The two sides remained divided over counterterrorism policy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and PTI's demand for access to jailed party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan.
According to the schedule announced by Afridi, supporters from Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Bannu and Lakki Marwat were to join the opening stage before the convoy moved towards Karak.
On October 5, supporters from Karak are scheduled to join the march before the convoy moves towards Kohat. The following day, participants from Kohat, Hangu, Kurram and Orakzai are expected to join before the march proceeds towards Peshawar and stops near Matani.
The convoy is scheduled to resume from Budh Bair in Peshawar on October 7, with participants from Khyber district and other parts of Peshawar joining along the route. It will then move towards the Charsadda Interchange for an overnight stop.
On October 8, supporters from Charsadda and Mohmand are expected to join the mobilisation before participants from across KP gather at Khairabad. PTI says it will announce its strategy for the next phase there.
Afridi has described the mobilisation as part of PTI's campaign for what the party calls constitutional supremacy, rule of law and an independent judiciary. He has also said the party would not allow a repeat of the violence associated with May 9, 2023.
