PTI revises long march route and dates as KP CM condemns governor’s security meeting

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has made another change to its long march plan, directing caravans from Malakand to set out on October 11, while the march, having entered its fourth day, will now reach Swabi on October 10 instead of October 8, according to PTI sources.

The march is likely to travel from Khyber to Peshawar and then towards Charsadda, the sources said.

It is also expected to pass through Charsadda, Mohmand, Mardan and Bajaur before reaching Malakand, according to PTI sources. The latest changes come as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi condemned a security meeting convened by the provincial governor, describing it as unconstitutional.

Afridi condemns governor’s meeting

Addressing a cabinet meeting, Afridi said an elected government with a two-thirds majority of the people of KP was in place and that the provincial assembly, cabinet and government were fully functional.

He alleged that the governor was summoning the chief secretary and inspector general and holding unconstitutional meetings: “The governor chairing a meeting of this nature is an attack on the Constitution and democracy,” the chief minister said.

Afridi said the constitutional status of the meeting held on Tuesday would be examined after seeking the opinion of the advocate general.

“There is a constitutional procedure for removing the chief minister, and a no-confidence motion is used for this purpose,” he said.

Afridi alleged that the governor’s activities were aimed at provoking the provincial government and forcing it to react: “We will not allow anyone to launch an attack on democracy. The governor has taken an unconstitutional step.”

Afridi also criticised the Pakistan Peoples Party, saying it had played a wrong role in the past: “Prioritising personal interests over national interests has been the PPP’s practice,” he said.