PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has offered talks to the federal government, saying that if negotiations are to take place after the proposed long march, there is no reason they cannot be held beforehand.
Afridi said the federal government still had seven days to resolve the issue through dialogue and mutual understanding. He said his side wanted the matter to be settled through negotiations rather than confrontation.
“If the federal government wants to resolve the issue within seven days, it should do so through understanding,” Afridi said, according to reports from the meeting.
PTI Long March Set for October 4
Afridi’s remarks came a day after the PTI announced that its planned long march towards Islamabad had been postponed from September 27 to October 4. The decision was taken following a meeting of the party’s political committee, which the chief minister described as a strategic decision.
Afridi said the delay was part of the party’s strategy and that the October 4 date remained unchanged. He maintained that the party had called for negotiations even before announcing the long march.
The chief minister also said the PTI would welcome Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman if he chose to visit them for discussions.
Afridi reiterated that the objective was to resolve the dispute and said the additional time had been provided to allow space for dialogue. His latest offer comes amid heightened political tensions surrounding the proposed protest and the federal government’s preparations to deal with the march.
Reports say authorities have taken administrative and security measures ahead of the planned October 4 protest, while the government has also indicated that political engagement remains possible.
Responding to questions about his position as chief minister, Afridi said he would not be concerned about losing the office if it served the interests of PTI founder Imran Khan.
He further said that if he were disqualified, the decision regarding his replacement would ultimately rest with Imran Khan.
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Afridi’s latest comments place dialogue at the centre of the political developments leading up to October 4, while the PTI continues preparations for its announced long march towards Islamabad.
