ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to postpone its planned long march towards Islamabad until October 5, the party sources said.
The decision was taken during the party’s political committee meeting in Peshawar today. The march was initially scheduled for September 27.
According to the sources, the decision to formally postpone it will be announced after Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas are taken into confidence.
On the other hand, government sources said that the opposition party decided to postpone its march due to a lack of public interest and the government’s effective strategy.
The sources further criticised PTI’s decision to hold the long march and rallies at a time when Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is dealing with the menace of terrorism and insecurity.
While the people of KP are being martyred every day, the ruling party of the province is busy planning rallies and long marches, sources added.
Security measures tightened
The development amid the federal and Punjab governments has geared up preparations in Islamabad and Rawalpindi Division to deal with any emergency situation during the PTI long march.
To stop protestors, the government has sealed Attock Bridge, connecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Punjab, with containers and banned the entry of pedestrians and motorists.
The NHMP has already closed the section of M-1 (Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway) and M-14 Motorway connecting KP with the federal capital.
The entrance routes to Islamabad are still open, but all arrangements have been made to close them as needed.
Earlier, the federal government also approved the deployment of Rangers in Islamabad and various districts of Punjab to maintain law and order.
The notification issued by the Ministry of Interior, dated September 23, states that the deployment has been approved from September 20 to October 5.
“The deployed troops may respond appropriately in self-defence to any threats or violent activities encountered in the course of their duties as per rules and regulations in vogue,” the notification added.
Earlier, the Punjab government sought the deployment of Pakistan Rangers in Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Mianwali, from September 22 until October 5, 2026, the provincial Home Department spokesperson said.
In addition, Punjab has already enforced Section 144 across the province from September 23 to October 5 amid security concerns, imposing a complete ban on the assembly, processions, or gathering of five or more people in public places, on highways, or in open spaces.
A similar ban under Section 144 has been enforced in Islamabad for two months.
The Punjab government has also sent a letter to the interior ministry requesting mobile and internet services at specific locations in Rawalpindi and Attock to be downgraded or jammed on Sept 27.
The measures come after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced a September 27 march on Islamabad, demanding the release of former Prime Minister and its party founder Imran Khan.
