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Imran Khan’s PTI Delays Islamabad March Amid Government Blockades
Imran Khan’s political party planned a march to Islamabad.
The march was meant to demand Khan’s release from jail.
The party first chose September 27 but moved the event to October 4.
Roads were being blocked with containers and other measures.
Some hotels, shops and transport locations were also ordered to close.
Thousands of security personnel were being sent to the area.
PTI leaders said they still wanted to march and would remain peaceful.
A government minister said the delay showed that PTI was not ready.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has postponed its planned Islamabad march from September 27 to October 4, according to party sources.
The protest is part of PTI’s campaign seeking the release of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The decision followed government road blockades, shipping containers, business closures and a major security buildup around Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said the march would proceed peacefully despite the restrictions.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said PTI postponed the protest because it lacked the preparations to hold the march.
- Who
- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, its leaders and supporters, the federal government, and security forces; the protest concerns jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
- What
- PTI postponed its planned march on Islamabad from September 27 to October 4.
- Where
- The planned march is directed toward Islamabad, with measures also reported in Rawalpindi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
- When
- The revised protest date is October 4; the postponement was reported on Friday.
- Why
- PTI says the march seeks Imran Khan’s release, while the postponement came amid government blockades and heightened security measures.
PTI’s Position
Government’s Position
Reason for the postponement
PTI’s Position
PTI sources attributed the delay to government blockades and heightened measures intended to stop the mobilisation from reaching Islamabad.
Government’s Position
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said PTI postponed the protest because it had not prepared adequately and lacked the courage or readiness to march.
Whether the march will proceed
PTI’s Position
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said the march would definitely take place on October 4 and remain peaceful despite roadblocks and other restrictions.
Government’s Position
The government has placed containers, closed or restricted businesses and deployed security personnel to control the planned mobilisation.
Use of force and negotiations
PTI’s Position
PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan urged the government to negotiate and warned that political workers should not be confronted with force.
Government’s Position
The government’s reported response has focused on preventive blockades, closures and security deployments rather than an announced negotiation process.
Key facts
- Original march date
- September 27
- Revised march date
- October 4
- Organizing party
- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)
- Main demand
- Release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan
- Security measures
- Shipping containers, road blockades and deployment of thousands of security personnel
- Local closures
- Hotels, restaurants, shops, guest houses and transport terminals around Faizabad were ordered to close
- Imran Khan’s detention
- He has been jailed since 2023 and is being held at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi
Quotes
Attaullah Tarar
Pakistan’s information minister
“There are no preparations for the PTI's long march either, and that is why they have backed out of this protest. If they have the courage, let them come and hold the march.”
telegraphindia.com
“Our long march will definitely take place. This time, we will definitely come out.”
telegraphindia.com
A party source
An unnamed source familiar with the PTI party decision
“The protest will be launched on October 4 instead of September 27.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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