Pakistan PTI March Continues, Government Renews Dialogue Offer

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march, led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, reached the Khyber district on Wednesday, with Afridi vowing to prevent another military operation in KP.

Afridi announced the march, demanding the release of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan, would proceed to Swabi, though its final destination of Islamabad remains tentative. The Centre has warned against protests in Islamabad. Opposition Leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai stated that talks with the government are impossible without a meeting with Imran Khan, urging the government to facilitate it to resolve the country's political crisis.

Achakzai rejected the possibility of governor's rule in KP, threatening nationwide protests if imposed, and stated his party does not recognize the Shehbaz government. Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon criticized Afridi for focusing on the march instead of terrorism in KP and for fall of Dhaka remarks. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif accused the PTI-led KP government of incompetence and collusion with terrorists, citing an October 6 attack in Dera Ismail Khan that killed five people.

Adviser to Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah reiterated the government's offer for dialogue, stating, "No demands can be met by holding the state hostage," and urged PTI to prioritize national interests. Government-opposition talks to avert the march ended in deadlock on Saturday, with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi accusing Afridi of sabotaging negotiations. Afridi, in turn, slammed Governor Faisal Karim Kundi for holding unconstitutional security meetings, calling it an attack on democracy. Peshawar matriculation supplementary examinations from October 7 to 10 were postponed due to the march.