PTI March to Islamabad will begin from Peshawar on October 4 under the leadership of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, PTI MNA Shandana Gulzar Khan said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club, Gulzar said the party would continue with its planned protest despite restrictions and opposition.

KP Assembly Deputy Speaker Surayya Bibi and lawyer Moazam Butt also attended the press conference.

The PTI had initially set September 27 as the date for the march. The party later changed the schedule after Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced that the convoy would leave Peshawar on October 4.

PTI Calls for Dialogue

Gulzar alleged that discussions about imposing emergency or governor’s rule in KP aimed to stop the planned protest.

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She also claimed that authorities had detained PTI workers, MPAs and MNAs in the province ahead of the march. She questioned the legality of such actions.

Gulzar urged authorities to avoid using force against protesters and institutions. She said the PTI wanted to hold a peaceful demonstration.

The PTI leader called on the government to pursue dialogue instead of confrontation.

Economic Issues Raised

Gulzar also criticised the government over rising costs of essential goods and services. She cited petrol, electricity and flour among the items that had become increasingly expensive for the public.

She also addressed comments by PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai about security threats surrounding the protest.

Gulzar said Yousafzai had expressed his personal assessment. She added that he should provide the party with any specific information about a security threat.

Lawyer Moazam Butt also alleged that the government was using the planned protest as a justification to impose emergency or governor’s rule in KP.