Afridi Launches PTI Long March from Lakki Marwat
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi launched a PTI long march from Lakki Marwat toward Islamabad to demand the release of jailed party founder Imran Khan.
Afridi arrived by helicopter to lead the march, which began at Gandi Chowk on the Peshawar‑Karachi Indus Highway. Thousands of PTI supporters gathered, and a large police contingent, armoured personnel carriers and bomb disposal squads were deployed for security.
During his address Afridi said the PTI would not accept any policy that was against the interests of the people of KP and the Pashtuns. He declared that the party would carry forward Imran Khan’s vision and policies and that they were not “yes‑men” but soldiers of the party.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi criticised Afridi for using a state helicopter for the march, calling it a violation of a high court order. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also posted a video of the helicopter ride, questioning its official purpose.
PTI workers from Dera Ismail Khan joined the march, led by former chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who urged participants to keep the protest peaceful and avoid violence or confrontation with law enforcement.
The march plan includes stops in Karak, Kohat, Peshawar and other districts, with Section 144 restrictions imposed on several roads to maintain public safety.
