Asad Umar Questions IMF Approval for Security Spending as PTI Sets October 4 Long March

ISLAMABAD:Former federal minister Asad Umar has questioned whether the government’s spending on security arrangements amid Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) planned long march has been approved by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

In a post on X, Umar said the government frequently cites the IMF when discussing measures aimed at providing relief to the public. He questioned whether the same approval had been obtained for what he described as daily expenditure of hundreds of millions of rupees on security arrangements.

“When it comes to relief for the people, they say the IMF does not agree. But when they fear losing power, are the hundreds of millions being spent every day in the name of security being spent with the IMF’s consent?” Umar said.

Umar also commented on PTI’s decision to postpone its planned long march to Islamabad from September 27 to October 4. He endorsed the decision and wrote that the party should continue political dialogue while maintaining pressure on the government.

The PTI political committee decided to postpone the march and announced that it would now depart from Peshawar on October 4. The decision was described by KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi as a unanimous political strategy.

Meanwhile, Afridi said preparations for the march had been completed and that a large number of vehicles and motorcycles had been arranged for the mobilisation.

Speaking to journalists at the Chief Minister’s House, Afridi warned that if the government took what he termed any “misadventure” against the PTI, party workers and supporters could be mobilised within 24 hours. He reiterated that the October 4 march would proceed from Peshawar towards Islamabad.

Afridi also addressed questions surrounding his possible disqualification. He said that if he were removed from office or disqualified, PTI founder Imran Khan would decide who would replace him as chief minister.

The KP chief minister further warned that any attempt to remove him could trigger a political response from PTI supporters. These remarks were presented as part of the party’s ongoing political confrontation with the federal government.

Afridi also set a seven-day deadline for negotiations with the federal government, while maintaining that the October 4 march would go ahead. He said the party remained open to dialogue but was prepared for mobilisation if the government took action against its leadership or workers.

The revised date for the march comes after PTI postponed its previously announced September 27 mobilisation. Reuters also reported that the party had moved the planned Peshawar-to-Islamabad march to October 4.

The planned mobilisation has coincided with extensive security and traffic arrangements around Islamabad. The PTI has called for political negotiations, while government officials have warned against actions that could disrupt public order.

With October 4 now set as the announced date, attention is focused on whether negotiations between the federal government and PTI will produce any agreement before the party begins its march toward Islamabad.