PTI Long March Cannot Go Beyond Attock, KP Governor Challenges
Sajid Ali
Published October 06, 2026 | 11:00 AM
Where is the two-million-strong crowd? They do not even have the numbers, says Faisal Karim Kundi, pledging that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will fully implement any governor’s rule decision by President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Growing Tensions Between Federal Government and PTI
Amid growing tensions between the Federal government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), political statements regarding the prospects of talks and the imposition of governor’s rule have intensified.
Governor’s Take on PTI
Speaking on Geo news, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said it was strange to demand negotiations with a party that does not accept Pakistan’s Constitution and law. He added that PTI’s long march could not go beyond Attock because the party lacked the capability to do so.
"Contrary to its claims of gathering 2 million people, it could not even bring out that many participants." - Faisal Karim Kundi
He further took a jibe at PTI, stating that the party was no longer a political party but had become a collection of four franchises. He alleged that the province had been ruined, claiming that the chief minister had no control over his own province and was dancing to the tune of absconder Murad Saeed.
Implementation of Governor’s Rule
Kundi affirmed that the province would fully implement any decision on governor’s rule taken by President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Government’s View on Talks
Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Adviser Senator Rana Sanaullah said talks with PTI could resume, as contacts with the opposition existed before and were still continuing. He emphasized the unanimous decision by the military leadership, political leadership, and federal government to take the war against terrorism to its logical conclusion, and that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government would have to play its full role in the national policy and operation.
PTI’s Stance on Negotiations
In response, senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser confirmed that his party was ready for talks again, but said the ball was now in the government’s court. He mentioned that a formal draft of the party’s demands was already with the government and that PTI would respond positively if the government demonstrated genuine seriousness about negotiations.