Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Sohail Afridi has said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march will go ahead “no matter what”, including if authorities attempt to block roads or stop protesters from moving forward.
“Our long march will happen and it will be peaceful, whether they hammer nails into roads, place containers on the roads or open fire,” Afridi told reporters during a press conference.
He added that the PTI would make a “once and for all” arrangement with the government if protesters took to the streets this time.
“This time, when we come out, we will make a once-and-for-all arrangement with these rulers,” he avowed.
Afridi made the remarks as the PTI’s political committee continued discussing the party’s next steps.
“Our political committee meeting is under way. We will meet you again. I am going to Charsadda now. Perhaps there will be a meeting when I return,” he said.
Responding to reporters, Afridi also remarked: “You can ask your channel owners whether I should be aired or not. Ask them and let me know.”
The chief minister also rejected what he described as threats being used to halt government activities.
“Government work was stopped because of fake threats. There was no threat. If there was a threat to this extent, what are the law enforcement agencies doing,” he asked.
Afridi said the PTI will not allow such threats to deter it from proceeding with the planned march.
“We will not step back because of these threats,” he said.
The remarks came as the PTI continued preparations for its planned long march, while its political committee remained engaged in consultations over the protest strategy.
