Khyber rises in protest as PTI march flops in Swabi

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's much-hyped long march in Swabi completely failed to materialize on Monday, with not a single worker turning out despite the party leadership's claims.

District leadership remained absent throughout the day as authorities kept all roads open and traffic flowing normally.

In Swabi, business centres operated as usual while police contingents, containers and other machinery remained deployed across the district. Peshawar, the Islamabad Motorway and the GT Road also stayed open with routine traffic movement.

A police crackdown intensified after the imposition of emergency and Governor's rule in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. District police arrested more than 180 PTI workers, with sources putting the confirmed figure at 169 so far. Arrests were carried out in Shewa Ada, Yar Hussain Razzar, Swabi Khas, Topi, Lahore, Gadoon and other areas. Those detained include several local office-bearers and active workers, among them District Senior Vice President Muhammad Ayaz Taj Abad, Raees Khan and Mustafa Khan. Police sources said the arrests were made over preparations for the long march and fears of disruption to law and order. Each police station has been assigned a target of hundreds of further arrests, and raids continue.

Meanwhile, on the second day of emergency in Khyber tribal district, protests erupted in Jamrud and Bara against the emergency and Governor's rule and in support of former K-P chief minister Sohail Afridi.

District Police Officer Khyber confirmed that 30 protesters were arrested.

In Bara Bazaar, tension persisted throughout the day between police and demonstrators, particularly around Main Khyber Chowk, Qambar Abad Market and the Sur Minar area. Police resorted to baton charges, tear gas and aerial firing to disperse crowds. The heavy use of tear gas created panic, severely disrupted commercial activity and caused distress to local residents, especially women and children living near the affected markets.

In Jamrud, PTI workers gathered at the historic Bab-e-Khyber to protest the emergency measures and voice support for Sohail Afridi. Reports also emerged that police sealed Afridi's hujra in Bara, though no official explanation was provided. Heavy police presence kept the area under tight control.

The dual developments left commercial life, public movement and daily routines disrupted in parts of Khyber while Swabi remained largely calm under a visible security blanket.