PTI Punjab Leaders Urge Delay to Sept 27 Long March Over Readiness

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders from Punjab have urged the party leadership to consider postponing its planned September 27 long march, raising concerns that preparations are insufficient and that key provincial representatives were not adequately consulted before the protest was announced. The reservations emerged during internal discussions as the party works to finalise its mobilisation strategy for the proposed march towards Islamabad.

A meeting was held at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and senior party leader Salman Akram Raja among those attending. The gathering was convened following a request from Punjab members who wanted to review preparations and discuss how the province would participate in the planned demonstration.

During the meeting, the Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly and other Punjab representatives reportedly argued that the September 27 date should be reconsidered because organisational preparations had not reached the level required for a major mobilisation. They also raised objections over what they described as insufficient consultation with Punjab before the long march was announced.

The Punjab representatives further complained that they had not been given an adequate opportunity to present their position during an earlier party meeting in Peshawar. Participants subsequently discussed organisational requirements for the march, including the party's ability to mobilise supporters from Punjab and coordinate arrangements before the proposed protest date.

PTI Punjab spokesperson Dr Ali Imran confirmed that parliamentarians had expressed concerns about the consultation process. He said party ticket holders from Punjab were being called for discussions on the September 27 programme, indicating that further internal consultations would take place before the party settles its final strategy.

The debate over the march is unfolding alongside legal scrutiny of the planned protest. The Islamabad High Court on Friday sought affidavits from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary and inspector general of police in proceedings concerning a petition challenging the September 27 protest. A larger bench headed by Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar directed the two officials to submit their affidavits by September 14, while questions were also raised during the hearing about provincial responsibilities, public safety and political demonstrations moving towards the federal capital.

The developments place the party leadership under pressure to reconcile the concerns of its Punjab organisation with preparations already under way for the protest. Punjab is a central battleground for any nationwide political mobilisation, and reservations among provincial lawmakers and ticket holders could affect planning, transport arrangements and participation if they are not resolved before the scheduled date.

The immediate next step is expected to be further consultation with Punjab representatives and ticket holders as the leadership assesses whether to retain September 27 or revise the timetable. Separately, the Islamabad High Court proceedings will continue after the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa officials submit their affidavits, leaving both the party's internal deliberations and the legal process significant to how the proposed march develops.