PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shaukat Yousafzai has warned that the party’s planned October 4 long march could turn violent.
Speaking to ARY News, Yousafzai urged the PTI leadership to reconsider the march and hold consultations before proceeding. He said he had also written to the party leadership about the issue.
“If the protest is not called off, the party leadership should at least hold consultations before proceeding,” Yousafzai said.
He acknowledged that PTI workers were prepared for the protest and would take to the streets. However, he expressed concern that the situation could become violent.
“The march could turn bloody,” he warned, urging the party to review its plans in light of the current situation.
Concerns Over KP Government
Yousafzai also warned that a narrative was being developed against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
He said there was no need to dissolve the provincial assembly and argued that such a move would benefit the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
The PTI leader also claimed that the federal government was considering steps to ban PTI. He described such a move as unacceptable.
His remarks come as tensions between the federal and KP governments continue to rise ahead of the October 4 protest. KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has maintained the march schedule and said the protest would proceed from Peshawar.
Imran Khan to Decide on KP CM
Asked about a possible change in the KP chief minister, Yousafzai said any decision to replace Sohail Afridi with former chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur would rest with PTI founder Imran Khan.
The PTI had originally planned the march for September 27 but later postponed it to October 4. The party said its political committee agreed to the new date.
Meanwhile, PTI’s opposition alliance partner, Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP), has said it will fully participate in the October 4 protest.
Yousafzai’s warning adds to growing debate within the party over thSet featured imagee timing and possible consequences of the planned march.
