PESHAWAR – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi is scheduled to address a press conference today. The briefing is expected to clarify PTI’s plans for its September 27 long march.
Afridi will speak to the media at 3pm at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar. Members of the provincial cabinet and PTI parliamentarians are also expected to attend.
The press conference comes amid discussions within PTI about the proposed protest. The party’s leadership held a high-level meeting a day earlier to review the long march and other political matters.
According to reports, several participants supported changing the date of the long march. Sources said a proposal was discussed to postpone the protest until early October. However, the exact revised date remains subject to the party’s final decision.
The leadership meeting was held through Zoom and lasted around three hours. Participants also discussed PTI’s political contacts with other opposition parties.
According to reports, PTI leaders are in contact with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). The meeting also discussed the PPP’s position on future political developments.
Participants were reportedly told that the PPP is waiting for its chairman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, to return. The party could then take decisions on important political matters.
PTI is also considering holding an All-Parties Conference (APC). According to reports, the possible APC could take place between October 6 and 10.
The meeting also included discussions about the roles of Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Raja Nasir Abbas. Some participants reportedly expressed reservations about their political roles.
The developments have created uncertainty around the September 27 schedule. PTI had previously announced plans for a long march towards Islamabad on that date. The party had also said the protest would remain peaceful.
On September 24, PTI said it would proceed with the planned protest under all circumstances. Party leaders also instructed workers not to carry weapons or other items that could cause violence.
The latest leadership discussions suggest that the protest schedule is now under review. A report published on September 24 said PTI was considering an October 5–10 window.
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s press conference is therefore expected to provide greater clarity. His announcement could confirm whether the September 27 plan will continue or be changed.
In other news read more about KP CM Sohail Afridi Vows Full Participation in Sept 27 Protest
Until the announcement, PTI’s final position on the long march remains unclear. The party’s leadership is expected to communicate its decision after further consultations.
