TTAP to join PTI’s rescheduled October 4 protest despite initial friction

The Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ain-e-Pakistan (TTAP) has announced it will "fully participate" in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) rescheduled protest on October 4, despite earlier reports of friction over the decision.

In a statement, TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Ahmad Yousafzai confirmed the alliance would join the march, which demands the release of PTI founder Imran Khan. The spokesperson noted that while the original September 27 protest was a joint call, the PTI had unilaterally postponed it. He said the TTAP had previously communicated to PTI Chairperson Barrister Gohar Ali Khan that any delay was not ideal, but they will now abide by the new date.

Differences have reportedly emerged between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its ally, the Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ain-e-Pakistan (TTAP), over the postponement of the planned long march to Islamabad. Sources within TTAP claim the party was not consulted on the decision to postpone the September 27 march or the unilateral announcement of a new date for October 4.

The sources added that the PTI had not provided a clear plan for the protest, including its route or destination, and had failed to form a coordination committee. This comes as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi reiterated his call for the PTI to cancel the march entirely, stating the province is facing a severe security situation and cannot afford further instability.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has threatened to impose Governor's rule in the province if the situation demands it, citing the ongoing security challenges. He stated that the option for Governor's rule exists within the constitution.

Kundi reiterated his criticism of the PTI for planning a long march on Islamabad while KP is dealing with terrorism. "Our province is blood-soaked... and they want to march on Islamabad," he said. He also criticised KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, accusing him of being preoccupied with "saving his seat" instead of addressing the province's problems.

Meanwhile, following the postponement of the PTI's long march, the M-1 Motorway between Peshawar and Islamabad has been reopened for all traffic.

In a fresh appeal, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has reiterated his call for the PTI-led provincial government to cancel its planned long march, stating the province "cannot afford any protest" at this time.

"Our province is a victim of terrorism... we are carrying coffins," Kundi stated, emphasizing the severe security situation. He advised the PTI leadership to call off the protest for the sake of peace in the province.

In a direct address to the party, he added, "You are not ready for a long march... your leadership has already given up."

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has publicly urged the PTI-led provincial government to postpone its planned long march to Islamabad, citing the deteriorating security situation in the province.

In recent statements, Kundi highlighted the security challenges, stating, "Your province is bleeding, and you are saying you will go to Islamabad to protest." He called on the PTI to call off the protest for the sake of peace and offered to sit down with the provincial government to discuss security matters.

The governor also suggested that an Apex Committee meeting should be convened to address the terrorism threats facing the province.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has added to the criticism against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) planned long march, suggesting the party will continue to postpone the event.

In a recent statement, Kundi claimed the PTI would keep giving "date after date" but would be unable to proceed with the march. He questioned the party's motives, alleging that its agenda was not the release of the PTI founder. The governor also mentioned that invoking Governor's Rule in the province could be considered a last resort.

Adding to the criticism, politician Qadir Mandokhail publicly questioned the government's actions in light of the allegations. He raised the point that if the PTI was indeed unprepared for a long march, it was unclear why the government would need to erect significant barriers in response.

Further allegations have emerged from political opponents, who now claim that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) collected donations for its planned long march. According to these claims, the whereabouts of the collected funds are unknown.

Following his earlier accusations, PML-N leader Ikhtyar Wali has now claimed that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will not proceed with its long march on the newly announced date of October 4 either.