Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Sohail Afridi Leads PTI March, Rejects Military Action in KP
Sohail Afridi, the leader of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s government, started a march toward Islamabad with supporters of his party, PTI.
They want Imran Khan, the party’s jailed founder, to be released.
Afridi also says decisions about security in his province should not be made without listening to local people.
He opposes military operations and drone strikes in the province.
The federal government and PTI did not reach an agreement to stop the march.
The government says protesters will not be allowed into Islamabad.
It has also restricted movement on some routes for safety reasons.
The march convoy is expected to travel through KP before heading toward the capital.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi launched a PTI long march toward Islamabad on October 4, 2026.
The protest is primarily demanding the release of jailed PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan.
Afridi said KP would reject policies made without provincial consultation, including military operations and drone strikes.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said negotiations failed over counterterrorism cooperation and the National Action Plan.
The federal government warned protesters would not be allowed into Islamabad, while Section 144 restrictions were imposed on several KP routes.
- Who
- Sohail Afridi and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf supporters; the protest also concerns jailed PTI founder Imran Khan.
- What
- Afridi launched a PTI long march toward Islamabad, calling for Imran Khan’s release and opposing security policies made without provincial consultation.
- When
- October 4, 2026; the report was published October 5, 2026.
- Where
- The march began in Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and is heading toward Islamabad.
- Why
- PTI says the march seeks Imran Khan’s release and greater provincial consultation on security policy.
PTI and Afridi
Federal government
Security decisions in KP
PTI and Afridi
Afridi says policies affecting KP must reflect its people’s will and rejects military operations and drone strikes in the province.
Federal government
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said talks broke down over counterterrorism cooperation and implementation of the National Action Plan.
The march and Islamabad
PTI and Afridi
PTI proceeded with its march after negotiations failed, presenting it as part of a campaign for Imran Khan’s release and political and constitutional demands.
Federal government
The federal government warned that protesters would not be allowed to enter Islamabad and imposed route restrictions citing public safety.
- March leader
- Sohail Afridi, chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Organizing party
- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)
- Main demand
- Release of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan
- Launch location
- Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Destination
- Islamabad
- Government response
- The federal government warned protesters would not be allowed to enter Islamabad.
- Route restrictions
- Section 144 restrictions were imposed along several routes in KP, citing security and public-safety concerns.