Do not 'desire' any confrontation, long march to remain peaceful: CM Afridi

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Friday said he and his party did not "desire" any confrontation and that the long march on September 27 would remain peaceful and would be conducted within the bounds of the Constitution and the law. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had announced that it would march to Islamabad on September 27 to press for the release of founder Imran Khan. The party has been preparing a central convoy from K-P, with caravans from other parts of the country expected to join before proceeding towards the federal capital. In a post on X, Afridi stated that PTI's planned long march to Islamabad on September 27 was a "peaceful, democratic, and constitutional struggle", adding that every citizen of Pakistan had the right to "peacefully" raise their voice and assemble for their fundamental rights while remaining within the bounds of the Constitution and the law. "We will use this constitutional right to carry our voice to the people and the relevant institutions". Read: Afridi vows to lead long march to Islamabad The chief minister said that the "continuous threatening statements" from the federal ministers who were "imposed on the country by crushing the public mandate" were a cause for concern for any democratic society. "Instead of suppressing dissent or intimidating citizens, the Form 47 government should listen to the people's demands, respect constitutional rights, and seek solutions to political matters through dialogue, law, and democratic processes," Afridi remarked. ہمارا 27 ستمبر کا لانگ مارچ ایک پُرامن، جمہوری اور آئینی جدوجہد ہے۔ پاکستان کے ہر شہری کو آئین اور قانون کے دائرے میں رہتے ہوئے اپنے بنیادی حقوق کے لیے پُرامن طور پر آواز بلند کرنے اور اجتماع کرنے کا حق حاصل ہے۔ ہم اسی آئینی حق کو استعمال کرتے ہوئے اپنی آواز عوام اور متعلقہ… — Sohail Afridi (@SohailAfridiISF) September 18, 2026 He further stated that every conscious citizen of Pakistan was demanding the restoration of the Constitution to its original state and the release of political prisoners who had been unjustly detained, adding that Pakistan's youth were also demanding jobs and a better future, and workers were struggling for their economic rights and a dignified life. "Farmers want fair compensation for their labour and economic security. And every citizen is demanding justice, equality, constitutional freedoms, and the right to a dignified life. These voices should be answered not with threats but through serious political dialogue and effective governance". Afridi underlined that he also expected the state institutions and the "Form 47 government" to respect the constitutional rights of citizens and, instead of "obstructing peaceful political activities, ensure the supremacy of the law". The chief minister said that the country would improve when "attention was given to public issues instead of threats; when public opinion is respected; when Parliament effectively fulfils its constitutional responsibilities; when judicial independence and the rule of law are ensured; when the Constitution is restored, and political prisoners are released; and when journalism is allowed to perform its role freely". "Our demand is clear: restoration of the Constitution, rule of law, release of political prisoners, protection of fundamental rights, and respect for the voice of the people," he remarked. Afridi stated that "pressure, threats, or fear cannot stop our peaceful and constitutional struggle", adding that his party would continue to raise their voice for democratic rights while respecting the law. Earlier today, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi warned that anyone who violated the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) detailed judgment and attempted to create unrest in the federal capital or any province would face legal action, including contempt of court proceedings. Read More: Naqvi warns of legal action against violators of IHC protest ruling Speaking at a press conference at Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad, Naqvi said a detailed law-and-order meeting had been held to discuss the call for protests in the coming days. The meeting also reviewed the internal security situation, with officers from other provinces and law enforcement agencies in attendance. Naqvi said the IHC’s detailed judgment had left no room for any attempt to create unrest in the federal capital or any province. قانون نافذ کرنے والے اداروں کو وضاحت کی ہے کہ اگر کوئی نکلنے کی کوشش کرے تو ہرممکن طریقے سے روکیں گے، وفاقی وزیرداخلہ مزید پڑھیں : https://t.co/BGlyRH06HJ#ExpressNews #MohsinNaqvi #Islamabad #Protest pic.twitter.com/Dj4xEcQy3Q — Express News (@ExpressNewsPK) September 18, 2026 He said all law enforcement agencies had been given clear instructions that anyone attempting to come out in violation of the court’s judgment would first face legal action in the form of contempt-of-court proceedings. “Secondly, we will stop them by any means possible,” he said. He urged political leadership to hold protests within their respective areas and cities but warned against bringing demonstrators to the federal capital with plans to shut it down or entering another province to carry out attacks. “I want to request all leadership that they can protest, protest in your area, in your city, but coming like this to the federal capital with plans to shut it down or going to a province and attacking it like this; this can be in no way permissible to you,” he said.