PTI Confirms September 27 Islamabad Long March as Tensions Rise

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said on Monday that the party has made a final decision to proceed with its planned long march toward Islamabad on September 27, reaffirming that the mobilisation would be conducted through constitutional and democratic means.

Gohar said the party intends to keep the march peaceful and argued that political protest is a constitutional right. He maintained that PTI does not intend to damage property or create disorder in the federal capital. The chairman also said the party would continue pressing its demands through political and legal channels while seeking the release of founder and former prime minister Imran Khan.

During the briefing, Gohar claimed that around 1,500 party workers, five members of the National Assembly and one senator had been arrested. He also raised concerns about access to Imran Khan and his medical treatment. These figures were presented by the party chairman and were not independently verified in the initial report.

The announcement comes as the federal government increases security preparations ahead of September 27. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has urged PTI to reconsider the planned march and said authorities would enforce the law and relevant court directions. The government has warned against prolonged disruption of roads and normal activity in Islamabad, while maintaining that lawful political activity remains subject to legal restrictions governing public spaces.

The Islamabad High Court has previously ruled that political parties and their leaders do not have a lawful right to occupy roads, highways or public buildings during demonstrations. The court also directed provincial chief ministers to ensure that state machinery is not used for political protests. Those directions have become an important part of the government's stated approach to the approaching mobilisation.

Political tensions have also increased following the detention of Imran Khan's sisters. Noreen Niazi and Uzma Khan were detained for 30 days under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order and transferred to Kot Lakhpat Jail, following the earlier detention of their sister Aleema Khan. Legal challenges have subsequently been initiated against the detention measures.

PTI has consistently described the September 27 mobilisation as a peaceful campaign focused on Imran Khan's release and broader constitutional demands. Gohar has previously said that the party wants to avoid unrest, while government officials have maintained that authorities will act against violations of court orders or attempts to block key public routes. The competing positions have increased attention on how the march will be managed if large convoys begin moving toward Islamabad.

The next stage will centre on PTI's mobilisation plans, security arrangements in Islamabad and any further legal or political developments before September 27. Authorities are expected to monitor major entry routes into the capital, while party leaders continue preparations and contacts ahead of the march. Any dialogue between political actors in the coming days could also affect how the planned protest unfolds.