PTI says more leaders abducted as long march heads towards Islamabad

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) alleged on Wednesday that unidentified armed men abducted three senior leaders, including a provincial lawmaker, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as its long march towards Islamabad continues.

The party accuses authorities of targeting its leadership to disrupt the protest, which demands the release of jailed founder Imran Khan.

Which PTI leaders have been abducted?

PTI names Abdul Salam Afridi, a member of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, and Dr Nabi Jan, head of its provincial doctors' wing, as abducted. It also says Dr Saad, the wing's general secretary, is missing and cannot be contacted. Police have not publicly commented on the latest allegations.

Ikram Khatana, PTI's provincial deputy spokesperson, told Nukta that Afridi was allegedly abducted near his guesthouse in Mardan. Khatana said three vehicles followed Afridi before surrounding his vehicle, after which about 14 to 15 armed men allegedly took him away.

What happened to Dr Nabi Jan?

Irfan Saleem, PTI's Peshawar president, separately alleged that Jan was abducted after unidentified men opened fire as he prepared to join the march. Saleem said the incident took place outside a hostel at Khyber Teaching Hospital, where the men allegedly intercepted Jan and opened fire when other doctors tried to resist.

Another doctor, identified as Dr Zain, was injured and taken to the hospital's emergency department, he said. Saleem also claimed that Dr Saad, the doctors' wing's general secretary, was missing and could not be contacted.

What does PTI say about the wider crackdown?

The allegations come as PTI continues a long march towards Islamabad and accuses authorities of targeting its leadership to disrupt the protest. The party says more than a dozen of its leaders and workers have allegedly been abducted or detained since September 21, including provincial minister Fazal Shakoor and lawmaker Fazal Muhammad Khan. It has also accused authorities of raiding the homes and residences of several party figures to prevent them from joining the march.

Police and other law enforcement agencies have not publicly commented on the latest allegations. Federal government representatives have described some of the detentions as "arrests on demand", saying they were aimed at preventing PTI leaders and workers from participating in the protest rather than constituting abductions.

Where is the PTI march heading?

PTI launched the march from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on October 4, demanding the release of Imran Khan and access to medical treatment for the former prime minister. The protest followed the collapse of talks between the party and the federal government, with PTI leaders saying the convoy could take at least a week to reach Islamabad.

The convoy has so far travelled through Lakki Marwat, Karak, Kohat, Peshawar and Khyber district and is expected to move towards Charsadda, Mardan and Swabi. More supporters are expected to join along the route, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi is expected to announce the marchers' next course of action in Swabi.