KOHAT: Participants of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march reached Lachi in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday, with the protesters expected to spend the night at the Lachi Football Ground.
According to the report, Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi’s convoy passed through Lachi Bazaar before reaching an area around 1.5 kilometres from the football ground. The report claimed that around 2,000 to 2,200 workers were part of the convoy.
The march participants were reportedly asked to remain at the Lachi Football Ground overnight, while Chief Minister Sohail Afridi left for Kohat, where he was expected to stay at a hujra on Dhoda Road belonging to Aftab Alam.
The report attributed the chief minister’s departure to security concerns, while claiming that the decision left the workers at the ground overnight.
Political commentators quoted in the report criticized the size of the gathering, arguing that the turnout indicated limited public support for the march. They also criticized the chief minister for leaving the participants at the ground while heading to Kohat for an overnight stay.
The report further alleged that the situation reflected organizational difficulties and confusion within the PTI leadership.
The claims regarding the turnout, security concerns and the political interpretation of the march have not been independently verified.
Kohat security: Intelligence reports raise alarm
Meanwhile, security concerns have been raised over the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march, with intelligence reports reportedly warning of possible attempts by suspected militants and violent elements to exploit the political gathering.
According to the reported intelligence information, the PTI caravan is expected to reach Kohat via Karak on October 5 and remain there overnight. The reports claim that suspected elements associated with the banned militant group referred to in the reports as Fitna al-Khawarij may have joined some caravans arriving from Gandi Chowk and Karak.
The reports further allege that authorities are attempting to identify suspected individuals through geofencing and other intelligence-gathering measures.
According to the intelligence assessment, there are concerns that any law-enforcement action against suspected militants or violent individuals could trigger clashes, unrest or disorder among emotionally charged political workers.
The reports also claim that some suspected militants and violent elements may have conducted reconnaissance of military installations and security posts in Kohat. Authorities are reportedly concerned that sensitive installations, security posts and other restricted areas could become targets of provocation or violence during the march.
Another concern highlighted in the reports is the possibility of an incident being engineered in a manner that could lead to confrontation between security forces and protesters, resulting in casualties and heightened tensions.
The intelligence assessment reportedly references the Bannu incident of July 15, 2024, as an example of how violence during a protest could create confusion and panic. The reports allege that militants linked to the Gul Bahadur group were involved in the incident and that subsequent violence during the protest contributed to disorder.
The latest assessment reportedly warns that suspected militants and violent elements could attempt to create a similar situation during the long march, potentially provoking clashes and subsequently blaming security forces for any resulting casualties or violence.
Authorities are therefore reportedly treating the possibility of suspicious activity, provocation or violence near military installations, security posts and large public gatherings as a serious security concern.
The reported intelligence claims have not been independently verified, and the allegations regarding the involvement of PTI supporters or militants should be treated as claims contained in the reported security assessment.
