Peshawar: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s long march is continuing through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the leadership of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, with supporters travelling toward Islamabad to demand the release of jailed party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan. The march began from Lakki Marwat on October 4 and reached Kohat on October 5, with further stops planned toward Peshawar and Khairabad. Reuters
PTI leaders are framing the protest as part of a wider struggle for what the party calls “Haqeeqi Azadi” or “real freedom”. However, comparisons with the 1947 independence movement, Quaid-i-Azam’s leadership and freedom fighters are political rhetoric and historical analogy, not independently verifiable facts.
The march is taking place amid heightened political tensions and tight security measures. The federal government has warned that protesters will not be allowed to enter Islamabad, while restrictions and Section 144 measures have been imposed on several routes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Dawn
PTI leaders have also instructed workers not to damage public property or worsen the law-and-order situation. Reuters reported that thousands of supporters are participating, while the march’s central demand remains Imran Khan’s release.
