PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) provincial information secretary Shaukat Yousafzai on Friday denied any decision to call off the Islamabad long march. Party sources, however, claimed leaders had agreed to postpone it until October 5.
“No decision has been taken to call off the march,” Yousafzai said. He maintained that preparations for Sunday’s protest were complete.
His assurance contrasted with an account from party sources that PTI’s political committee had approved a delay. They said the decision was made at a meeting in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to those sources, a formal announcement depended on consultations with Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai. Leaders also intended to consult Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen chief and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.
Sources described a subsequent telephone conversation between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Achakzai. Afridi conveyed party leaders’ preference to postpone, but Achakzai favoured keeping the original call pending further consultations.
Yousafzai linked any reconsideration to the federal government agreeing to talks. He pledged a peaceful protest without government resources and accused federal authorities of breaching a court decision by blocking roads.
PTI seeks the release of its imprisoned founder Imran Khan and what it describes as the restoration of constitutional supremacy.
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Authorities have closed or restricted major highways and motorways leading to Islamabad. Separately, the federal government has authorised Rangers deployment in the capital and several Punjab districts to maintain public order.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said consultations on imposing governor’s rule in the province had taken place. He described the measure as a possibility.
Meanwhile, opposition alliance spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Yousafzai confirmed receipt of another letter from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offering talks. He accused the government of retreating from commitments made during earlier meetings.
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar challenged PTI to proceed with its march or stage a sit-in in Islamabad.
