PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Secretary Shaukat Yousafzai says his concerns over the October 4 long march were about workers’ safety and rejects suggestions that he could leave the party.
PESHAWAR – Web Desk: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Secretary Shaukat Yousafzai became emotional while responding to criticism and allegations that questioned his loyalty to the party after he urged its leadership to delay the October 4 long march towards Islamabad.
Speaking on Geo News’ programme Geo Pakistan on Wednesday, Yousafzai said his concerns were based on the safety of PTI workers and the prevailing security situation.
Yousafzai says concerns were about workers’ safety
Yousafzai said he had raised concerns as a senior party member over the possibility that a court order or allegations involving the presence of terrorists could be used as a basis for action against the party.
He had written to PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and other senior leaders on Tuesday, urging them to further postpone the October 4 march in what he described as the wider national interest.
He cited the security situation and increased militant activity, while also warning about the possibility of emergency rule.
PTI leader says his loyalty was questioned
Yousafzai said he was hurt by the reaction to his letter and by criticism directed at him on social media.
He said his suggestion to delay the march had led to him being portrayed as a “traitor” within the party and that his longstanding commitment to PTI had been questioned.
Yousafzai also rejected suggestions that he had been “bought off” and said there was no question of him leaving PTI.
Yousafzai responds to Sohail Afridi
The PTI leader also responded to remarks by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi regarding his letter.
Afridi had said the October 4 long march would proceed and that if Yousafzai’s letter reached him, he would “throw it in the dustbin”. He also said the letter had not reached him.
Yousafzai said he was hurt by the chief minister’s remarks, describing Afridi as his “younger brother”.
He added that when Afridi announced the October 4 march, he had made clear that he would be among the first to participate.
PTI march remains scheduled for October 4
The disagreement comes as PTI prepares for its planned long march towards Islamabad.
The party had originally scheduled the march for September 27 before deciding to postpone it to October 4. Afridi announced the revised date following a PTI political committee decision.
Yousafzai had previously said PTI remained prepared for the march and that any decision to postpone it could be linked to talks with the federal government.
Yousafzai criticises social media activists
Yousafzai also criticised social media activists within the party, saying their attacks were damaging PTI.
He recalled the difficulties faced by PTI leaders and workers following the May 9, 2023 events and said allegations questioning his commitment to the party were particularly painful.
He also reiterated his support for Afridi, saying he did not consider the chief minister a facilitator of terrorists.
