PTI Long March Moves Toward Islamabad as Government Tightens Security

PESHAWAR / ISLAMABAD, — October 5, 2026 — Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has continued its long march toward Islamabad after negotiations with the federal government failed to resolve the dispute over the planned mobilisation. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi is leading the convoy, which moved from Karak toward Kohat on Monday after spending the night in Karak. (Reuters)

The march began Sunday from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat, with supporters from several southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa joining the procession. The convoy travelled around 80 kilometres before reaching Karak, where participants established a camp for the night. (Dawn)

On Monday, Afridi addressed supporters in Karak before leading the convoy toward Kohat. Local reports said participants from Kohat, Hangu, Kurram and Orakzai were expected to join the procession as it continues toward Peshawar. (Samaa TV)

The march followed the collapse of two rounds of government-opposition negotiations. The talks focused on PTI's demands concerning access to Imran Khan and the federal government's concerns over counterterrorism policy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Both sides have blamed the other for the failure to reach an agreement. (Dawn)

PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said the government wanted the KP administration to endorse counterterrorism actions that Islamabad had initiated, while PTI wanted decisions concerning security operations in the province to be made through consultation between the federal and provincial governments. (The News)

Meanwhile, authorities have significantly increased security around Islamabad and surrounding districts. The federal government has extended the deployment of Rangers in Islamabad and parts of Punjab until October 15, while containers and other barriers have been placed at several routes leading toward the capital. (Geo News)

The security measures are also affecting Rawalpindi. Traders have warned that further road closures could disrupt businesses, while universities in the twin cities have continued or prepared for online classes because of concerns over possible traffic restrictions. Dawn reported that more than 43,000 police personnel had been deployed across Rawalpindi, Attock and nearby districts for the security operation. (Dawn)

The government has said the march will not be permitted to enter Islamabad's restricted areas. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has accused PTI of refusing to cooperate over the security situation in KP, while the party says the government's conditions made an agreement impossible. (Reuters)

Afridi has continued to defend the march and has criticised federal security policies affecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. PTI says its campaign is aimed at securing the release of Imran Khan and addressing what it describes as constitutional and political grievances.

The convoy is expected to continue through Kohat and Peshawar before moving toward the Punjab side of the route. PTI has indicated that it will announce further decisions as the march progresses, keeping the possibility of a larger confrontation with authorities around Islamabad open. (Dawn)