KP CM says PTI Long March will take place on October 4

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) long march will take place on October 4 “under all circumstances” and that the party will not back down from its demands.
Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar, Afridi said all issues could be resolved if the demands were accepted. He said participants would travel to Swabi in the first phase of the long march before proceeding towards Islamabad.
The chief minister said tribal people and their advisers would also participate in the march. Commenting on the Apex Committee meeting, he said decisions taken previously had not been implemented and there was therefore no need to convene another meeting.
Responding to the possibility of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Afridi said backdoor contacts with the party leadership could take place, but he would proceed in accordance with the party’s policy.
Afridi claimed that a large number of people would participate in the October 4 long march. He said the participants would be unarmed and empty-handed, adding that anyone found carrying a prohibited or disruptive item would be handed over to the police.
The KP chief minister said any attempt to create unrest during the march would be considered contrary to PTI policy. He also warned of the possibility of an unpleasant incident.
Afridi criticised the country’s economic situation, saying Pakistan was facing several challenges, including inflation, poverty and unemployment. He also questioned the government’s economic policies.
He alleged that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was attempting to create unrest in the country and claimed that the family of PTI founder Imran Khan was facing political pressure.