PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Secretary Shaukat Yousafzai has urged the party leadership to postpone its October 4 long march, warning that the protest could increase the risk of emergency rule.
In a letter addressed to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and other leaders on Tuesday, Yousafzai called for delaying the protest in the wider national interest.
He cited the security situation and rising terrorist activity, warning that the federal government could use these developments as a pretext to impose emergency rule. He also raised concerns that a possible attack from Afghanistan could provide justification for such a move.
Yousafzai alleged that the federal government was building a narrative that the KP government had failed to cooperate. He warned that this could lead to attempts to dissolve the provincial government or accuse PTI of supporting terrorism, potentially paving the way for a ban on the party.
Yousafzai Calls for Dialogue
The PTI leader referred to an earlier decision by party founder Imran Khan to end a long march to protect workers’ lives.
He urged the leadership to consider that precedent and take his concerns seriously. He also called for dialogue with the state instead of confrontation.
The letter comes days after PTI postponed its planned march towards Islamabad from September 27 to October 4. <Cite refs={[“turn891028search0″,”turn891028search3”]}/>
The party had planned the protest to demand Imran Khan’s release and what it describes as the restoration of constitutional supremacy.
However, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar rejected the suggestion of another postponement and reaffirmed the party’s decision to hold the march.
Gohar said PTI had no intention of dissolving the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. He also maintained that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi would remain in office.
He denied reports that the party was considering an alternative to Afridi, saying no such consultation had taken place. According to Gohar, Afridi enjoys Imran Khan’s full confidence.
Government Says Release Must Follow Legal Process
Separately, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the government had not refused talks with PTI.
However, he objected to the party making Imran Khan’s release a precondition for negotiations. Tarar said the courts, rather than the government, were the appropriate forum for decisions about Khan’s release.
He argued that PTI was seeking relief through rallies, processions and marches, despite the availability of legal and constitutional channels.
Addressing the Supreme Court’s order concerning Khan’s transfer to a private hospital, Tarar said the court had directed a medical examination and that the examination had been completed.
He added that any shortcomings in implementing the order should be brought before the court rather than addressed through street protests.
Ali Zafar Says Talks Remain Possible
Meanwhile, PTI Senator Ali Zafar said postponing the march to October 4 had given the government another opportunity to engage in dialogue.
He said negotiations could begin if the government took the first step.
Zafar said the meeting between the opposition leader and government representatives before September 27 did not amount to formal negotiations.
He called for proper talks through committees in closed-door meetings.
However, Zafar maintained that October 4 remained the final date for the long march and claimed that the government was afraid of the protest.
