Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has postponed its planned long march from Peshawar to Islamabad until October 4, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced on Friday. The march had originally been scheduled to begin on September 27.
PTI Changes March Date
The PTI political committee agreed to shift the date of the planned mobilisation, with Afridi announcing that the march would now begin from Peshawar on October 4. The party has been pressing for Khan's release and has described the mobilisation as part of its political campaign.
Reuters reported that PTI spokesperson Zulfi Bukhari said that although October 4 had been announced as the new date, the party could still decide to begin the march earlier.
Security Measures Tighten Around Islamabad
The postponement comes amid extensive security arrangements around Islamabad. Reuters reported that major highways had been blocked with shipping containers and that large numbers of security personnel had been deployed ahead of the originally planned march.
Pakistani media also reported restrictions on roads and access routes leading toward the capital. The measures have become a major part of the dispute surrounding the planned PTI mobilisation.
Khan’s Release Remains a Central Demand
PTI's planned march is focused on demanding the release of Imran Khan, who has remained in jail since 2023. The party's leadership has continued to call for political and legal action concerning his imprisonment.
The postponement adds another week to the political standoff between PTI and the government. The situation remains fluid, particularly because PTI representatives have indicated that the timing of the march could still change.
For businesses monitoring cross-border markets, political developments in neighbouring countries can affect regional trade conditions, regulatory considerations and financial planning. Businesses operating internationally may also need reliable auditing services in india to maintain accurate financial reporting as market conditions change.