Govt rules out yielding to pressure as PTI says only Imran can call off long march

In a statement issued today, Yousafzai criticised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s repeated offers of dialogue, saying the government should move beyond public statements and address the opposition’s demands. “Prime minister, do not just play the negotiations game in the media.

If you have the authority, accept the opposition’s legitimate demands,” he said. Yousafzai urged the government to respect decisions of the high courts and Supreme Court and reiterated that PTI would not withdraw its demands concerning party leader.

“We will not back down from our demands for a meeting with Imran and his transfer to hospital,” he said. He also called for the release of imprisoned women, including Imran's sisters. He also questioned K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi’s authority to summon the provincial chief secretary and inspector general of police to a meeting.

“Kundi has exceeded his authority. After the 18th Amendment, the governor does not even have the authority to crack a walnut,” he said. The PTI spokesperson defended CM Afridi amid criticism from federal government figures, saying he regretted what he described as negative propaganda against the chief minister.

Turning to the security situation in K-P, Yousafzai said terrorism could not be addressed by undermining the province’s electoral mandate. He called on the federal government to bring all stakeholders together to formulate a strategy against terrorism.

“All problems will be resolved through negotiations,” he added. Meanwhile, K-P police spokesman Alam Khan said that Police had prepared a security plan from Peshawar to Nowshera amid security concerns, with drone cameras to be used to monitor the long march.

"Security arrangements have been divided into three categories, with three SPs assigned responsibility for security in the city, suburban areas and along Ring Road," he added. Khan said that around 300 personnel would be deployed along the march and its routes, while the City Patrol Force unit would also remain deployed at Peshawar’s entry and exit points.

Thechange in routewas announced by K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Tuesday as the march reached its third day. Afridi said the PTI had originally planned to head towards Peshawar but would now first proceed towards Khyber before returning to the provincial capital.

Afridi said the route had been changed as part of the PTI's strategy, without giving further details about the reason for the change. Read:PTI marchers change route, head to Khyber first. The march had reached.

Kohaton Monday after beginning from Gandi Chowk in. Lakki Marwaton Sunday. Caravans from Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Bannu and Lakki Marwat had joined the procession at the starting point before it moved towards Karak for an overnight stay.

On the second day, the caravan moved from Karak towards Kohat, with participants from Karak joining the procession. Afridi addressed participants in Kohat and announced that the march would resume its journey towards Peshawar from University Chowk on Tuesday.

On the third day, caravans from Kohat, Hangu, Kurram and Orakzai joined the procession. The march was initially scheduled to travel from Kohat towards Peshawar and stay overnight near Mattani. Under the original schedule announced by Afridi, the caravan was due to depart from Budh Bair in Peshawar on Wednesday, with participants from Khyber district joining the march there.

Other Peshawar constituencies were scheduled to join at Kohat Road Bridge and the Motorway Toll Plaza before the procession moved towards the Charsadda interchange. The march was then scheduled to move from the Charsadda interchange towards Khairabad on October 8, with participants from Charsadda and Mohmand joining the caravan.

The next phase of the march was to be announced at Khairabad.