Former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur has said the postponement of PTI’s planned Islamabad march weakened the party’s momentum and that no special preparations had been made for the protest.

Speaking to journalists, Gandapur said continued political pressure on the federal government could eventually lead it to accept PTI’s demands. He also criticised what he described as the lack of strong provincial authority, claiming it had contributed to the detention of PTI ministers, lawmakers, and workers.

Gandapur said he had managed to reach Islamabad three times during previous protests despite facing resistance and other obstacles.

Asked about his political future, Gandapur said he had left the KP chief minister’s office on the instructions of PTI founder Imran Khan and could return to the position if Khan directed him to do so. He added that negotiations with the federal government were the responsibility of the party leadership.

Gandapur also described his relationship with current KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi as cordial.

The remarks came after Afridi announced that PTI’s planned long march had been postponed from September 27 to October 4. The party said its political committee had unanimously approved the revised date.