Protest Demonstrations Against PTI Long March Held
UrduPoint
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PESHAWAR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Oct, 2026) People from various segments of society in Peshawar staged protest demonstrations on Monday against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march. They demanded that Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi immediately call off the agitation and focus on addressing the province’s pressing security and socioeconomic challenges.
Traders, shopkeepers, businessmen, students, and other citizens gathered in front of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. They voiced their opposition to what they deemed confrontational politics and the continuing political agitation by the provincial ruling party. The protesters blocked roads, burning tyres, leading to traffic disruptions and inconveniences for commuters.
They argued that the province’s residents are already facing difficulties such as insecurity, unemployment, inflation, and limited economic prospects; prolonged political unrest is not affordable. The demonstrations reflected growing discontent among segments of the public who accused CM KP of prioritizing political confrontation over governance and public welfare.
Haseeb Khan, a resident of Ganj participating in the protest, stated that the provincial government should prioritize peace, job creation, and addressing citizen's problems instead of political mobilization. He urged the Chief Minister to reconsider his decision and focus on governmental responsibilities.
Bilal Khan, a shopkeeper, criticized PTI’s politics of agitation, noting that trade and small businesses suffer when roads are blocked and normal business activities are disrupted. “There is no justification for keeping the province in political uncertainty while people demand jobs, peace, clean drinking water, pollution-free environments, and economic stability,” he said.
Ehtisham Qaiser, a lecturer, also criticized the decision to continue with the long march, suggesting that political differences should be resolved through dialogue rather than street confrontation. He noted that the federal government had accepted most of PTI's demands during negotiations in Islamabad, questioning the rationale for continuing the protest despite progress.
The protesters appealed to CM KP to withdraw the long march and engage in meaningful negotiations. They emphasized that peace, security, education, employment, and economic stability should be the government’s primary priorities. They also called on political parties to avoid actions disrupting routine life and instead adopt a responsible approach to resolving issues.