PTI long march moves towards Kohat on second day after talks fail

Pakistan's opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) pressed ahead with its long march towards Islamabad on Monday, moving from Karak towards Kohat on its second day.

The party continued after negotiations with the federal government failed to resolve its demands.

What is the PTI long march?

The PTI long march is the party's journey from southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa towards Islamabad, expected to take at least a week. It began on Sunday after talks with the federal government ended without agreement.

PTI is demanding the release of jailed founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, along with access to medical treatment.

What did Sohail Afridi say on the second day of the march?

Addressing supporters, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi accused the federal government of deliberately allowing militancy to worsen in the province. He said he had refused to support what he called its "wrong policies".

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Afridi said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was being treated like a "stepchild" by the country's political establishment. He accused decision-makers of repeatedly imposing policies on the province while attempting to isolate it.

He also criticised Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, saying he would continue to stand with the people of the province even if that was portrayed as "naivety". PTI, he said, was pursuing its demands through democratic means, but public anger could not be contained indefinitely if those demands were rejected.

"Our democratic demands will have to be accepted," Afridi said, adding that national policies should serve the public interest rather than what he described as decisions made behind closed doors. He urged PTI supporters from across Pakistan to converge on Swabi, where the party is expected to announce its next course of action.

What does PTI want from the government?

Afridi had earlier presented a seven-point charter calling for political dialogue, legal, medical and visitation rights for Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, as well as greater cooperation between the federal and provincial governments to tackle militancy. PTI has said it would suspend the march if the government provides written assurances on its demands.

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PTI says its campaign is aimed at securing political and legal rights for Khan and Bushra Bibi and pushing the government to address its broader political demands through negotiations.

What is the route and schedule of the PTI long march?

The convoy is expected to travel through Lakki Marwat, Karak, Kohat, Peshawar, Charsadda and Nowshera or Swabi, with PTI supporters joining along the route. The march is scheduled to reach Peshawar on Oct. 6, where participants will stay near Mattani.

Supporters from Khyber and other parts of Peshawar are expected to join the convoy on Oct. 7 before it moves towards Charsadda. The convoy is scheduled to leave Charsadda Interchange on Oct. 8, with supporters from Charsadda and Mohmand expected to join along the route.