Gohar urges federal govt to avoid governor’s rule in K-P, vows peaceful Oct 4 protest

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan on Wednesday said the party’s planned October 4 long march would remain a peaceful and political activity, urging the government to avoid measures such as governor rule or an emergency. Speaking to the media at Parliament House, Barrister Gohar said, "the response to the long march should not be the imposition of governor rule but rather political engagement with PTI founder Imran Khan." “Our effort is that the long march remains peaceful and completely political. Neither should governor rule be imposed nor should an emergency be enforced,” he said. چیئرمین پی ٹی آئی بیرسٹر گوہر خان کی پارلیمنٹ ہاؤس میں میڈیا سے گفتگو ہماری کوشش ہے لانگ مارچ پُرامن اور مکمل سیاسی انداز میں ہو، نہ گورنر راج لگے اور نہ ایمرجنسی نافذ ہو، لانگ مارچ کا جواب گورنر راج نہیں بلکہ خان صاحب سے ملاقاتیں کرائیں، انصاف کریں خان صاحب اور بشری بی بی کی… pic.twitter.com/FP2Hze6QUf — Barrister Gohar Khan (@BarristerGohar) September 30, 2026 He added that arranging meetings with Imran and ensuring justice would help resolve the ongoing political issues. “Only the release of Imran and Bushra Bibi can pave the way for resolving political problems,” Barrister Gohar said, adding that the October 4 long march would proceed as planned. Clarifying the party’s position regarding Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, the PTI chairman said the long march was limited to Islamabad and that Afridi had the support of the PTI founder and the entire party. “It is Imran’s province, Imran’s mandate prevails, and Imran’s directions are followed. Nothing will happen based on anyone else’s wishes,” he said. Read: Centre lays ground for governor's rule in K-P In a post on X, K-P Information Minister Shafi Jan said the long march would commence from southern K-P on October 4 and would be led by Chief Minister Afridi. لانگ مارچ 4 اکتوبر کو جنوبی خیبر پختون خواہ سے شروع گا ۔ سی ایم آفریدی لیڈ کرینگے ۔ — Shafi Jan (@ShafiJanPTI) September 30, 2026 The possibility of imposing governor’s rule in K-P gained attention after several federal ministers said constitutional provisions allowed such measures if required, while accusing the PTI-led provincial government of failing to address security and governance challenges. Federal officials said the situation in the province had reached a stage where constitutional options, including governor’s rule or emergency, could be considered. The debate intensified amid growing tensions between the Centre and the PTI-led provincial government, particularly ahead of the party’s planned October 4 march towards Islamabad. Federal ministers cited law and order concerns, while PTI leaders opposed any move to impose governor’s rule and maintained that political dialogue was the way forward. K-P CM "not happy" with PTI's long march preparations CM Afridi expressed displeasure over the lack of interest among some PTI members in preparations for the party’s planned long march to Islamabad, according to party sources. He made the remarks while chairing a meeting of PTI’s parliamentary party at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar, while some lawmakers did not attend the meeting in person and joined through Zoom. Addressing participants, Afridi criticised what he viewed as insufficient commitment to preparations for the march. “We also have Mir Jafars and Mir Sadiqs within our ranks,” Afridi said. According to the sources, the chief minister reiterated that PTI would depart from Peshawar for Islamabad on October 4, saying that “We are not going to conquer Islamabad, and the federal government is blocking our way.” Referring to allegations that protesters could carry sticks or slingshots, Afridi said: “We will go with two hands and two feet.” Later, CM Afridi said in a post on X, “You should prepare; I am ready.” میری تیاری مکمل ہے۔ کیا آپ تیار ہیں؟ انشاءاللہ 4 اکتوبر۔ pic.twitter.com/Y7wFhAENsM — Sohail Afridi (@SohailAfridiISF) September 29, 2026 Meanwhile, PTI K-P President Junaid Akbar directed lawmakers and party leaders currently outside the country to return to Pakistan. Akbar said MPAs, MNAs, and party leaders who were not in Pakistan on October 4 would have no connection with PTI and told them they could form another party if they wished. Background The PTI had initially announced its long march to Islamabad for September 27, with the party saying it had exhausted other constitutional and legal avenues and was mobilising supporters across the country. As the date approached, the Islamabad High Court directed federal and provincial authorities to prevent the use of state resources for the protest and ordered that roads could not be blocked by political parties or public office holders. The federal government subsequently stepped up security preparations and warned the PTI against disrupting traffic and economic activity. The issue of governor’s rule in K-P also became a major point of contention. On September 21, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the government was consulting the Law Ministry on legal options for the province, including Governor’s Rule, if the PTI proceeded with the march. Two days later, however, Information Minister Atta Tarar ruled out any plan to impose Governor’s Rule, saying the federal government had no intention of removing the PTI administration. The federal government has repeatedly urged PTI not to proceed with its planned march, warning that Islamabad could not be shut down and that any disruption to law and order would not be allowed. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry called for dialogue and said a route that could be opened through talks could not be opened through a march. K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also urged the provincial government to abandon the protest, saying the “ground reality” was not in its favour.