PTI march faces strategy questions as government talks continue

Pakistan’s political tensions are escalating ahead of a planned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march on Islamabad on Sept. 27, with the opposition party publicly insisting it will proceed while questions emerge over its strategy and backchannel contacts with the government.

Islamabad has been fortified with shipping containers and heightened security measures as the date approaches. PTI has refused to withdraw the march, but disagreements over how it should be conducted have emerged within the party, according to Kamran Khan’s latest episode of “On My Radar.”

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has repeatedly said the march will go ahead. PTI also reiterated Friday that it would proceed under all circumstances, while instructing its workers not to carry sticks, slingshots or weapons.

Internal differences emerge

The government has also prepared for the protest, with Information Minister Attaullah Tarar challenging PTI to proceed with the march.

At the same time, differences within PTI over the march strategy have begun to surface publicly.

ARY News broadcast an audio recording on Friday that it said was from a Zoom meeting of PTI leaders. The recording appeared to capture differences among party leaders over the strategy for the long march.

PTI has disputed the suggestion that the online meeting involved a decision to postpone the march, saying no one proposed delaying it.

The reported disagreement comes as the party faces intensified government measures ahead of the protest. Authorities have detained PTI supporters and lawmakers, while three sisters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan have also been detained ahead of the march.

Backchannel contacts continue

Despite the confrontation between the government and PTI, contacts between the two sides are also continuing behind the scenes.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Prime Minister’s adviser on political affairs Rana Sanaullah have said that backchannel discussions with PTI are taking place. PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has also confirmed contacts with the government.

According to information cited in the program, PTI has been told that some of its demands could be addressed if it abandons the long march.

The party’s demands include implementation of a Supreme Court order, the transfer of Imran Khan to Shifa International Hospital and the inclusion of his personal physician on his medical board.

PTI has also called for the release of Imran Khan’s three sisters, as well as detained lawmakers and party workers who were taken into custody in recent days.

PTI has publicly maintained that the Sept. 27 march will proceed. Afridi previously described the date as firm and non-negotiable, while saying he would follow any instructions from Imran Khan to change the plan.

The coming days will determine whether the government and PTI can find a negotiated path forward or whether state authorities and the opposition movement will confront each other directly on the route from Attock Bridge toward Islamabad.