The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led opposition is set to begin its long march from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa today after hours of negotiations with the government ended without a breakthrough. Despite earlier reports of progress, the two sides failed to resolve key differences.
The first phase of the march is scheduled to begin at 1pm from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat. Participants from Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Bannu and Lakki Marwat are expected to join the convoy. The first day’s journey will end with an overnight stay near Karak.
The convoy will resume its journey on October 5, when residents of Karak are expected to join the march around noon. The convoy will then move towards Kohat and stay there overnight.
On October 6, participants from Kohat, Hangu, Kurram and Orakzai will join the march. The convoy will then head towards Peshawar and spend the night near Matani.
The march will continue on October 7 from Budh Berh in Peshawar. Participants from Khyber district and other areas of Peshawar are expected to join at designated points before the convoy moves towards Charsadda Interchange.
On October 8, the convoy will depart from Charsadda Interchange, with participants from Charsadda and Mohmand joining the march. The participants will eventually converge at Khairabad, where the PTI leadership is expected to announce the strategy for the next phase.
The march schedule was announced after government-opposition negotiations once again failed to end the political deadlock. The second round of talks was held at Parliament House under the chairmanship of National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq and continued for several hours.
Opposition representatives said the two sides remained divided over several issues, including meetings with PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi. The opposition also raised concerns related to counterterrorism operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan confirmed that the long march would proceed according to schedule. The opposition maintained that its demands regarding meetings with Imran Khan and other political matters had not been resolved.
The government, however, blamed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration for the failure of the talks. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said the two sides had reached agreement on several matters but could not finalize a deal because the KP government did not provide assurances of cooperation in counterterrorism operations.
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah also said the government had made several changes to the draft agreement in an attempt to reach a settlement. He maintained that cooperation against terrorism was a constitutional and legal responsibility of the provincial government.
The political standoff has now shifted from negotiations to the streets. PTI leaders have said the march will continue towards Islamabad, while government officials have warned that the convoy will not be allowed to enter the federal capital.
Also read: PBF Calls on PTI to Call Off Islamabad Long March
