LAKKI MARWAT: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has reportedly struggled to mobilise a large crowd for its long march, with a Special Branch report estimating that only around 1,500 to 2,000 supporters have gathered in Lakki Marwat so far.
The reported turnout includes supporters accompanying former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur as well as PTI workers arriving from southern districts.
The limited mobilisation comes despite the party’s calls for a major show of strength through the long march, with the reported turnout falling well short of the numbers expected by the PTI.
According to the report, PTI leaders were concerned over the low turnout. The KP chief minister, who was expected to reach Lakki Marwat around noon, arrived at approximately 4pm after several delays.
The report attributed the delay partly to weather conditions and diminishing daylight, which could have restricted helicopter operations later in the day.
The developments have raised questions over the PTI’s ability to mobilise supporters in significant numbers for the long march, particularly as the party seeks to build momentum for the next stages of its protest.
The PTI is reportedly scheduled to proceed towards Karak on October 5.
KP CM Derailed Talks, Long Marchers Won’t Be Spared: Naqvi
Earlier, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has announced the end of negotiations with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), saying talks could not continue once the party’s long march towards Islamabad began.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi said President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had been briefed on the situation. He accused Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi of attempting to derail the negotiations.
Naqvi said a draft agreement had been finalised after discussions with PTI representatives, but claimed that Afridi later rejected the draft and introduced changes to the final agreement.
He praised PTI representatives Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja, Amir Dogar and Nasir Abbas for what he described as their sincere participation in the talks. However, he questioned why Afridi had not joined the negotiations if he was to make the final decisions.
The minister said the talks involved two separate agreements — one concerning opposition parties and another focused on counterterrorism measures.
Naqvi alleged that “somewhere” in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, terrorists were receiving support, and stressed that the issue under discussion was terrorism rather than politics. He said the federal government wanted the KP government to cooperate in the fight against terrorism.
He claimed that Asad Qaiser had expressed support for all points concerning Pakistan and that the federal side had sought to bring the KP government on board.
Naqvi said the government had not asked PTI to postpone its long march and reiterated that negotiations would not continue once the march began.
He warned that the government would not allow a repeat of the events of May 9, saying those responsible for the march would face action. He also held Afridi responsible for the collapse of the negotiations and said he would be responsible if any loss of life occurred.
The interior minister further criticised the KP chief minister for making statements against the military while, he said, the province was facing a war-like security situation.
Naqvi warned that anyone entering Islamabad in violation of court orders would face legal consequences, saying the government would bring an end to repeated attempts to march on the capital.
He said those participating in the long march would not be spared and indicated that federal authorities would also take action in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Naqvi said the government would now implement whatever decision was taken by the president and prime minister.
