PTI March Continues Toward Islamabad
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)'s long march toward Islamabad entered its next phase on October 5, 2026, as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi resumed the procession from Karak and led the main convoy toward Kohat.

The march began a day earlier from Gandi Chowk in Lakki Marwat after government-opposition negotiations failed to produce an agreement. PTI says the protest is primarily aimed at demanding the release of party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan.

Sohail Afridi Addresses Supporters in Karak

Sohail Afridi addressed PTI supporters in Karak on October 5 before resuming the journey toward Kohat.

Speaking to participants, the KP chief minister called for sustained mobilisation and told supporters that the movement should be approached as a long political struggle rather than a short campaign. He also urged people from the region to participate in large numbers.

Convoy Reaches Kohat

After leaving Karak, the PTI convoy moved toward Kohat, reaching the Lachi area where participants halted for the night.

According to the announced schedule, the convoy is expected to resume its journey toward Peshawar on October 6. The march is being conducted in stages, with additional supporters expected to join at different points along the route.

PTI's Main Demand Is Imran Khan's Release

The release of Imran Khan remains the central demand of the PTI protest.

Khan, who has been imprisoned since 2023 in cases that he and his party describe as politically motivated, remains the central figure around whom PTI has organised its political campaign. The party has also raised concerns about access to him and his ability to communicate with political and legal representatives.

Government-PTI Talks End in Deadlock

The long march followed the breakdown of negotiations between PTI and the federal government.

The two sides failed to bridge their differences during talks, with disagreements particularly involving the security and counterterrorism situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. PTI proceeded with the march after the negotiations failed to produce a compromise.

Government and PTI Blame Each Other

Both sides have blamed the other for the failure of negotiations.

PTI leaders have argued that the government did not adequately address their political demands, while government officials have criticised the KP leadership over security and counterterrorism issues. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has also blamed Sohail Afridi for contributing to the collapse of talks.

PTI Has Announced a Multi-Day Route

The PTI leadership has announced a staged route for the procession through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

After Lakki Marwat and Karak, the convoy moved to Kohat and is scheduled to proceed toward Peshawar. From there, the planned route includes the Charsadda area before the procession reaches Khairabad on October 8.

Peshawar Is the Next Major Stop

The convoy is scheduled to leave Kohat and move toward Peshawar on October 6.

Supporters from Kohat, Hangu, Kurram and Orakzai are expected to join the procession as it moves through the region. The convoy is then expected to spend the night around the Mattani area before continuing its journey.

Charsadda and Khairabad Plan

On October 7, the convoy is scheduled to move from Budh Bair in Peshawar toward the Charsadda area.

According to the announced schedule, supporters from Charsadda and Mohmand are expected to join the procession before it moves toward Khairabad on October 8. The PTI leadership has not publicly detailed the final route from Khairabad into Islamabad.

October 8 Could Be a Major Turning Point

The October 8 gathering at Khairabad is expected to be an important moment in the PTI campaign.

Sohail Afridi has said that the next phase of the movement will be announced at Khairabad. This means the final strategy for the procession toward Islamabad remains subject to decisions by the PTI leadership after the gathering.

Separate Gandapur Convoy Faces Roadblocks

A separate PTI convoy led by former KP chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur also attempted to join the mobilisation from Dera Ismail Khan.

The convoy reportedly turned back near Yarik after encountering roadblocks and security restrictions. Gandapur told workers that Section 144 was in force in the area and urged supporters not to damage public property or worsen the law-and-order situation.

Government Tightens Security

The federal government has increased security measures in anticipation of the PTI march reaching Islamabad.

Authorities have deployed containers and barriers at various points and have warned that gatherings in the capital will not be permitted if they threaten public order. The government has also maintained a strong security presence around sensitive areas of Islamabad.

Islamabad Faces Potential Disruption

The planned arrival of a large political procession could affect traffic and routine activity in Islamabad and surrounding areas.

The government has indicated that it will prevent protesters from entering sensitive parts of the capital, while PTI has continued to announce its mobilisation plans. The competing positions have raised concerns about possible confrontation if the march reaches the capital's entry points.

Section 144 Imposed in Parts of KP

Authorities have imposed restrictions under Section 144 in several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in connection with the security situation and the planned political activity.

The restrictions have affected movement in parts of the province and have contributed to roadblocks encountered by some PTI supporters. PTI leaders have criticised such measures while the authorities have defended them on security grounds.

Government Warns Against Disorder

Federal officials have repeatedly warned that protesters will not be allowed to create disorder or damage public property.

The government has also linked its concerns to the wider security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where militant attacks have increased. Officials say the province requires greater attention to counterterrorism rather than political confrontation.

PTI Calls for Peaceful Political Protest

PTI leaders have maintained that their movement is political and that supporters should avoid violence and damage to public property.

Sohail Afridi has described the right to peaceful protest as constitutionally protected and has continued to call on PTI supporters to participate in the movement.

Political Tensions Continue

The march has intensified the political confrontation between the PTI-led provincial government and the federal government.

The situation is particularly sensitive because PTI controls the provincial government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while the federal government has accused the provincial administration of failing to cooperate sufficiently on counterterrorism matters. PTI rejects the government's characterisation and says its political rights must be respected.

Possibility of Renewed Negotiations

Despite the failure of the latest talks, another round of political dialogue cannot be completely ruled out.

The continuation of the march and the government's warnings have created pressure on both sides. If the political leadership finds common ground, negotiations could potentially resume. However, PTI's decision to continue its mobilisation shows that there is currently no agreed political settlement.

What Happens Next?

The next immediate stage will be the convoy's movement from Kohat toward Peshawar on October 6.

The procession is then expected to move through Peshawar and the Charsadda area before reaching Khairabad on October 8. The PTI leadership is expected to announce its next strategy there, making the coming days important for determining whether the movement continues toward Islamabad or takes another direction.

Current PTI Situation

As of October 5, 2026, the PTI long march has moved beyond its initial Lakki Marwat stage and continued through Karak toward Kohat, with the main convoy halting in Kohat overnight.

The movement remains focused on Imran Khan's release and other PTI political demands, while the federal government has maintained that it will not allow disruption or violence in Islamabad.

PK-News.com Analysis

The PTI long march has entered a crucial stage following the breakdown of government-opposition negotiations. Sohail Afridi's decision to continue leading the convoy demonstrates that PTI intends to maintain pressure through street mobilisation rather than immediately return to negotiations.

However, the final outcome remains uncertain. The government's security preparations, the size of the crowds joining the convoy, the situation on major roads and the possibility of renewed political dialogue will all influence what happens next.

The October 8 Khairabad gathering could become the most important point so far because PTI leadership has not yet publicly revealed the complete final strategy for the Islamabad phase.

PK-News.com Latest Update

PTI's long march is continuing toward Islamabad after government-opposition talks ended without an agreement. On October 5, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi addressed supporters in Karak before leading the convoy toward Kohat, where the protesters halted for the night. The convoy is scheduled to continue toward Peshawar on October 6 and later move toward the Charsadda and Khairabad areas.

The PTI leadership has said the next phase of the movement will be announced at Khairabad on October 8, while the federal government continues to maintain heightened security and warns against disruption in Islamabad.

This article was developed and researched by PK-News.com based on reports from Dawn, Reuters, Associated Press and other verified sources available on October 5, 2026.

Key Points
Party: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)
March launched: October 4, 2026
Starting point: Gandi Chowk, Lakki Marwat
Leader: KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi
Main demand: Release of Imran Khan
October 5: Afridi addressed supporters in Karak
Current stage: Convoy reached Kohat
October 6: Planned movement toward Peshawar
October 7: Planned movement toward Charsadda
October 8: Planned gathering at Khairabad
Next strategy: Expected to be announced at Khairabad
Government: Heightened security around Islamabad
Talks: Government-PTI negotiations remain deadlocked