PTI march reaches Mardan as emergency fears grow in KP

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) march towards Islamabad, demanding the release of founder Imran Khan, reached Mardan on Saturday, its seventh day.

Chief Minister Sohail Afridi warned against any attempt to suspend constitutional rights amid reports of possible emergency rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

What is happening with the PTI march in Mardan?

The convoy led by Sohail Afridi travelled from Charsadda to Mardan and is expected to stay in the area until Sunday evening. It will then move towards Swabi, where the party plans to announce its next course of action. Afridi said the next phase of the march would begin on October 14.

The convoy has travelled through Lakki Marwat, Karak, Kohat, Khyber, Peshawar, Charsadda and Mardan. It is expected to move towards Swabi on October 11, where PTI leaders are due to outline the next stage of their campaign towards the federal capital.

What did Afridi tell supporters in Mardan?

Addressing supporters at Chamtar Adda in Mardan, Afridi said any attempt to impose governor’s rule or declare an emergency in the province, or to undermine the public mandate, would prompt people to gather in the provincial capital, Peshawar. “We are not seeking positions or power, but we will defend our constitutional rights,” he said.

Afridi urged supporters to prepare for possible police action and directed lawmakers to mobilize hundreds of workers each. He dismissed the prospect of arrests deterring participation, arguing that supporters would join the march voluntarily regardless of the circumstances.

Speaking later at Manga Bazaar, he called on people from across Pakistan to reach Swabi under the leadership of their elected representatives. He directed lawmakers from KP to bring 1,000 workers each and those from other provinces to mobilize 500 apiece. Afridi claimed the expected turnout would be so large that authorities would not dare open fire on protesters.

He also urged participants to prepare for possible tear gas attacks along the route, saying they would collect the shells and throw them back. While promising to unveil a plan in Swabi that would leave the party’s opponents stunned, he insisted the protest would remain peaceful and called on supporters to maintain discipline. Afterwards, Afridi left the long march convoy and arrived at the Chief Minister’s House. He is expected to rejoin the march tomorrow as scheduled.

Is PTI open to talks with the federal government?

Earlier on Saturday, PTI leaders met at the chief minister’s official residence to discuss the political situation and the ongoing march. Afridi reiterated his opposition to any move to impose governor’s rule or emergency rule in KP, saying such a step would provoke a public reaction.

He also expressed willingness to resume negotiations with the federal government, provided it addressed the party’s demands concerning access to its jailed founder, former prime minister Imran Khan, and his medical treatment.

“We are ready for talks, but the government must consider our demands for access to Imran Khan and his medical treatment. However, if it continues to insist on allowing a military operation, the talks will fail a thousand times, because I can never allow that,” Afridi said.

Will emergency rule be imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif discussed the country’s political and security situation, including law and order in KP, at the president’s official residence, Aiwan-e-Sadr, on Saturday, according to sources. KP is governed by the opposition party. The two leaders agreed to convene separate sessions of the National Assembly and Senate on Tuesday, October 13, the sources said.

The meeting lasted more than half an hour, after which Shehbaz left the presidential residence. The federal government was also preparing for parliamentary proceedings and further political consultations amid speculation about possible emergency rule in KP.

Some media reports said the two leaders had agreed to impose emergency rule in the province, with formal approval to be sought from the federal cabinet at a meeting expected early on Sunday. The government had not confirmed those reports by Saturday. Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly is likely to be summoned for a session tomorrow.

Why did the PTI march begin?

The PTI launched its march towards Islamabad on October 4, demanding the release of Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, access to medical treatment for the party founder, and closer coordination between the federal and provincial governments to address militancy. The protest began after negotiations with the federal government broke down.