Governor KP Kundi says PTI ‘may announce exit’ from long march, criticises police bill

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi claimed on Friday that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) could announce an end to its planned long march as early as today or tomorrow, as authorities in Islamabad and Punjab tightened security ahead of the party’s September 27 march on the capital.

Kundi questioned PTI’s preparations for the protest, claiming that more than half of its leaders had gone into hiding and that some workers were seeking arrest to avoid participating in the march.

“I think they want to find a way out. Perhaps today or tomorrow they will announce that they are backing out,” he said.

The governor also questioned how the provincial government would function if its leadership and lawmakers left to participate in the protest.

“If they hold a long march, who will run the province?” Kundi asked, saying that if PTI intended to mobilise millions of people, its lawmakers and leaders should be present in their constituencies to organise supporters.

“Long marches are organised when your parliamentarians and MNAs are in their constituencies mobilising people. They are sitting in cafes in Islamabad and conducting the long march on social media,” he said.

His remarks came as authorities moved to strengthen security arrangements ahead of the planned demonstration. The Punjab government has imposed Section 144 across the province from September 23 to October 5, banning gatherings of five or more people, rallies, demonstrations and assemblies at public places, highways and open spaces.

The federal government has also approved the deployment of Pakistan Rangers in Islamabad and four Punjab districts, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Mianwali, until October 5 under the Pakistan Rangers Ordinance, 1959, and the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

The Punjab government has requested three Rangers companies for Rawalpindi, five wings for Attock and one company each for Jhelum and Mianwali, while it has also sought army deployment in Rawalpindi. More than 43,000 police personnel have been deployed across Attock, Rawalpindi, Murree, Jhelum and Chakwal.

According to the Punjab Home Department, the measures followed intelligence warnings of possible attacks involving suicide bombers, vehicle-borne explosives and target killings, with political gatherings identified as potential targets. Authorities have also announced planned closures on sections of the M-1, M-14 and GT Road and restrictions on heavy and cargo vehicles travelling towards Islamabad on the M-2.

PTI leaders, however, have reaffirmed their intention to proceed with the march, describing it as a constitutional right and saying the protest would remain peaceful.

Kundi also alleged that PTI workers were volunteering to be arrested and criticised the provincial government over a police bill, claiming it would give political authorities greater control over the force.

He said the police were currently fighting terrorism and suffering casualties but had among the lowest salaries in the province.

“Today my police are fighting bravely and giving sacrifices,” he said, questioning why the provincial government had not improved their salaries, benefits and educational support for their children.

Kundi said he would not approve the legislation if it came before him, arguing that similar efforts had previously been struck down by the Peshawar High Court.

“We will protect our police officers and personnel. Whenever such a wrong kind of legislation comes before us, we will stand as a wall against it,” he said.

Asked about calls for the jailed PTI founder to be shifted to a hospital for treatment, Kundi said the party’s demands had changed from earlier calls for his release. He said the current demands appeared to focus on allowing court proceedings to begin and shifting him to a hospital, adding that decisions concerning the cases and any punishment would ultimately be made by the courts.

On governor’s rule, Kundi said consultations had taken place but added that any practical decision would have to be discussed if and when the matter arose.

At a separate ceremony in Peshawar, Kundi praised pharmacists as “an important pillar of the healthcare system” and called for improved access to quality medicines, stronger action against counterfeit drugs and greater emphasis on practical and technology-focused training.

An earlier version of the story incorrectly stated that KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi had said consultations on imposing governor’s rule were ongoing. He has since clarified that he did not make such a statement. The error is regretted.