• Says PTI will resist ‘illegal moves’, ready to sacrifice his seat for Imran and Pakhtuns
• Marchers likely to reach Swabi tomorrow
MARDAN / SWABI/ CHARSADDA: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Saturday said the PTI would not accept any “illegal move”, including the imposition of governor’s rule or an emergency in the province.
The KP chief minister made the remarks while addressing PTI workers and supporters in Mardan, where the party’s protest march led by him arrived on its seventh day.
The PTI’s protest march route has changed once again. According to a party leader, the march will now reach Swabi on Monday (Oct 12) rather than its originally scheduled arrival today (Sunday).
So far, the march, being held to demand the release of jailed party founder Imran Khan, has remained within KP, where the PTI is in power.
Addressing party workers and supporters who had gathered to welcome him in Mardan, Mr Afridi said arrests could not weaken their resolve.
He urged the public to come out for Mr Khan’s release, saying Pakhtuns were not afraid of guns or bullets.
His remarks come amid continued differences between the federal government and the PTI-led KP government over various issues, particularly counterterrorism policy. This was also a key reason behind the breakdown of talks between the Centre and the opposition on Oct 3, with the government blaming Mr Afridi for the collapse.
Speaking on the occasion, PTI MNA Muhammad Atif Khan said Mr Afridi had placed the federal government and the establishment in a difficult position through his strategy.
He added that the PTI would pursue an effective strategy to make the protest march successful and organise its workers accordingly.
The chief minister’s arrival in Mardan was marked by considerable enthusiasm among party workers.
Earlier, Mr Afridi and the participants of the march travelled by road from Charsadda to Mardan.
In a post on X, KP Information Minister Shafi Jan said the convoy would stay overnight in Mardan.
Addressing a large gathering in Charsadda, Mr Afridi said he stood firmly with the people and would not accept decisions imposed through pressure or threats.
“I was asked to sign, but I refused,” he said, adding that he would neither retreat from his position under pressure nor compromise on his principles.
Referring to what he alleged were preparations for a possible military operation, the CM reiterated that he would not sign any document under pressure. He claimed attempts had been made to persuade him to agree to certain decisions, but he had declined.
Mr Afridi has repeatedly opposed the federal government’s policies on counterterrorism and Afghanistan since being elected chief minister in October 2025.
Referring to the “threats” of governor’s rule or an emergency, he said the matter “had gone beyond seats and power” and that he was ready to “sacrifice” his position for Mr Khan and Pakhtuns.
Mr Afridi reiterated that he would announce the next course of action on Oct 13 at the Swabi interchange.
Change in date
Meanwhile, PTI leader Sohail Yousafzai said the march would reach Swabi on Oct 12. Mr Afridi had directed party workers, parliamentarians and office-bearers from across the country to reach the area accordingly, he added.
Containers have been transported to Swabi Interchange and the Indus River bridge on the M-1 motorway to block the PTI march.
The bridge is particularly significant because it connects Punjab and KP, which lie on opposite banks of the river.
According to Mr Yousafzai, convoys from the Peshawar, Malakand and Kohat regions would reach Swabi Interchange on Oct 13, while those from the Hazara, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan divisions would arrive on Oct 14. The chief minister would announce the future course of action on the same day.
Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2026
