PTI Launches Long March From Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Demands Imran Khan’s Release
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf launched the first phase of its long march on Sunday, setting out from Lakki Marwat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to demand the release of jailed party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi reached Lakki Marwat by helicopter to lead the march, which began at 1 p.m. from Gandi Chowk on the Peshawar-Karachi Indus Highway. PTI shared footage of the launch on X, with Dawn and the Associated Press independently confirming the developments on the ground.

Who’s Joining the March
Convoys from Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, South Waziristan, North Waziristan and Bannu joined the march at Lakki Marwat. The march is also being joined by a separate convoy led by former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, which set out from Dera Ismail Khan.
According to the plan Afridi shared on X, supporters from Karak will join on Monday, October 5, at noon, after which the caravan will depart and stay overnight near Kohat. The march is scheduled to travel through Kohat and Peshawar before reaching Khairabad on October 8, where PTI says it will announce its next phase.

What PTI Is Demanding
Afridi tied the march directly to Imran Khan’s continued detention, telling supporters it would “change Pakistan’s destiny.” PTI leaders have described it as a peaceful and constitutional protest, demanding Khan’s legal rights, access to medical treatment, and the release of his sisters and other detained party leaders.

Afridi also criticized the federal government’s security policies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as part of his remarks launching the march.

Why It Matters
The march comes after talks between PTI and the federal government failed to break a prolonged political deadlock. No march on Islamabad has been formally announced so far, with PTI saying its next steps will be decided once the convoy reaches Khairabad, leaving open whether the protest escalates further in the coming days.

– Tamrah News

Sources
Dawn
Title: Long march: KP CM Afridi reaches Lakki Marwat to lead PTI march on Islamabad
Date: October 4, 2026
URL: https://www.dawn.com/news/2034698/long-march-kp-cm-afridi-reaches-lakki-marwat-to-lead-pti-march-on-islamabad
The Express Tribune
Title: PTI begins first phase of long march amid mounting political tensions
Date: October 4, 2026
URL: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2632928/pti-begins-first-phase-of-long-march-amid-mounting-political-tensions
Pakistan Observer
Title: PTI Set to Begin Long March to Islamabad Amid Talks Deadlock
Date: October 4, 2026
URL: https://pakobserver.net/pti-set-to-begin-long-march-to-islamabad-amid-talks-deadlock/