PTI finalises strategy for Sept 27 march

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has finalised a preliminary strategy for its September 27 march on Islamabad, with plans for a central convoy from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to be joined by caravans from southern Punjab before proceeding towards the federal capital.

The party has directed workers from across the country who intend to join the main caravan to reach K-P at least five days before the march.

According to sources, the PTI plans to hold the main caravan for two to three days at the Punjab-K-P border and move towards Islamabad only after caravans from different parts of the country have assembled.

As part of the protest strategy, Central Punjab is expected to stage shutdowns in Lahore, while Karachi and Hyderabad will be closed in Sindh. In Balochistan, protests will target Quetta and important national highways. The proposed plan will also be discussed with other opposition parties.

The party has estimated the cost of the first day of the march at Rs450 million, while the daily expenditure thereafter is expected to be around Rs14.5 million.

Sources said the party leadership had sought between Rs40 million and Rs50 million from each National and Provincial Assembly constituency to finance the protest movement. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has also sought financial contributions from lawmakers and prominent party figures.

A funding committee headed by PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja has been constituted to oversee arrangements for financing the march. Members of the National and Provincial assemblies have also been directed to launch street mobilisation campaigns in their respective constituencies. Monitoring committees have been formed to supervise preparations and participation.

The decisions were taken during a consultative meeting held at the Chief Minister's House in Peshawar on Sunday to review preparations for the Islamabad march. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja, K-P chapter president Junaid Akbar and Chief Minister Sohail Afridi briefed party workers and leaders about the planned protest.

Sources said the meeting also decided to make efforts to persuade disgruntled party members to rejoin the protest campaign. Junaid Akbar was tasked with contacting and persuading the dissatisfied members.

The meeting also decided to approach former K-P chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur and seek his participation in the march. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi welcomed the initiative, saying he would support efforts to bring disgruntled members together and would join Ali Amin Gandapur in the struggle for the release of PTI founder Imran Khan.

The PTI has announced the September 27 Islamabad march to press for the release of its founding chairman, Imran Khan.

Party leaders have instructed workers from other provinces who wish to participate in the central caravan to arrive in K-P five days before the scheduled march.