Imran Khan’s Party Launches Protest March After Talks with Government Collapse

By
Asim Tanveer
-

On a dusty stretch of highway in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, former prime minister Imran Khan’s party, the main opposition political force, launched a multi-day protest convoy on Sunday after last-ditch negotiations with the federal government collapsed overnight.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, started its long march from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat district, aiming to press demands that include better access and medical care for jailed founder Imran Khan and a joint approach to fighting terrorism in the province.

The first phase of the march drew supporters from Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Bannu and Lakki Marwat. By evening, participants had set up their initial camp near the Bannu-Karak border at Khatm-e-Nubuwwat Chowk.

Afridi, who arrived by helicopter to lead the procession, told the crowd the convoy would continue through the province and gather at Khairabad on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Punjab border on October 8, where the party will announce its next steps.

How the Talks Unraveled

Negotiations between a Government-PPP and PTI teams stretched through Saturday evening into the early hours of Sunday.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi later told reporters the discussions had produced near-total agreement on political issues before breaking down over counterterrorism commitments.

There is only one person responsible for the entire collapse, and that is the KP chief minister,” Naqvi said, accusing Afridi of sabotaging the process by repeatedly altering a near-final draft late at night.

Naqvi claimed the provincial government had initially agreed to sign a written deal and submit an implementation plan within 72 hours. That plan, according to the minister, included reviewing the Police Act, preventing safe havens for militants, condemning the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and other groups, supporting the national policy on Afghan refugees, increasing funding for police and counterterrorism units, and strengthening cooperation with the armed forces.


“Last night, during the final phase of negotiations, the K-P Government backed out of these commitments,” Naqvi posted. “Security must not be politicized while the province is at War.”

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja also offered a sharply worded account.

In a post on X, Raja said the core disagreement stemmed from the federal government’s insistence that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration endorse every unilateral anti-terrorism operation conducted by federal forces in the province, including emergency measures in the former tribal districts within 72 hours.

“PTI has always opposed blind operations that spill innocent blood or force large numbers of people to become internally displaced,” Raja wrote. The party’s negotiating team insisted any strategy must emerge from consultation with all parties represented in the provincial assembly and the recommendations of a recent jirga of tribal and political elders.

 

Afridi’s Seven-Point Draft

Shortly after the talks failed, Afridi publicly released the draft he said he had sent to the negotiating committee. He framed the points as constitutional and non-negotiable, arguing that Pashtuns were being treated as “second-class citizens.” The draft called for:

Regular meetings between the prime minister and opposition leaders from both houses of parliament, with measurable progress on pending political and constitutional issues within two months.

Formation of a joint political negotiating committee including the ruling coalition, the Pakistan Peoples Party and opposition parties, tasked with continuous dialogue and recommendations within one month.


Full legal, humanitarian and medical rights for Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi under the jail manual and Constitution, including consideration of their personal physicians’ advice.

Permission for family, nominated lawyers and authorized associates to meet the couple in accordance with prison rules.

Prompt processing of legal petitions by Khan, Bushra Bibi and other detained political prisoners, with special consideration for the release of elderly and female prisoners such as Yasmin Rashid.

Effective, continuous consultation between federal and provincial governments on counterterrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including a joint strategy session within 72 hours and shared responsibility for implementation.

Written federal assurances on the above points before PTI would call off the march; the party reserved the right to resume peaceful protest if those assurances were violated.

Afridi told supporters that only Imran Khan’s vision and policies would guide the province. “We do not accept any policy that harms the Pashtuns. There will be no governor’s rule and no emergency,” he said. He repeatedly argued that current federal approaches, including military operations and drone strikes, had failed and that a policy shift could restore peace within 100 days.

Imran Khan Should Not Be Kept in Solitary Confinement, Pakistan Court Orders

Government Pushback and Warnings

Federal officials reportedly rejected the provincial stance as per media account.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar accused the PTI-led government of using calls for consultation as a delaying tactic and of failing to implement the National Action Plan.

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif challenged PTI leaders to visit the families of civilians killed in terrorist attacks and accused the party of historical softness toward militants. Both ministers said security forces would not be dictated to on operational details.

Naqvi met Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Sunday. A joint statement expressed concern that the march could allow militants to move freely through checkpoints.

The two officials said the Governor’s House would support any constitutional decision by the president and prime minister to impose governor’s rule or emergency if necessary to protect the province from “terrorism and destruction.”

They also criticized Afridi’s use of official helicopters and provincial resources for the protest as a violation of an Islamabad High Court order restricting occupation of public roads and buildings in the capital.

The interior minister warned that anyone attempting to disrupt order in Islamabad would face legal action. “Protest is permitted, but creating a disturbance will not be allowed,” he said, adding that the government would pursue violators “one by one.”


The Road Ahead

According to the schedule, Afridi posted on X, the convoy will pick up supporters from Karak on Monday, move toward Kohat, then incorporate participants from Hangu, Kurram and Orakzai before heading to the Peshawar area. By October 8 the caravans are expected to converge at Khairabad, where PTI says it will decide whether to continue toward Islamabad or pursue another course.

As of the latest reports, the first day ended with tents and vehicles clustered at the Bannu-Karak border.

Afridi promised daily announcements of new plans and insisted the movement would remain peaceful and constitutional. Federal authorities, meanwhile, have made clear they will not permit the protest to reach the capital.

+ posts

Asim Tanveer is a seasoned journalist working for TV and electronic and print media outlets. He has been working for some of the world’s leading news organizations including Associated Press (AP), Reuters, BBC, CNN, CNBC, Star TV, Voice of America and The New York Times for more than 30 years. He has won several awards for his live coverage of events that include a Reuters News Agency World Award and the Pride of Performance award in 1997.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here