ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf rally set off towards South Waziristan under the leadership of Imran Khan. The rally, which has sparked a huge debate of late, would be staying overnight near DI Khan before heading for its final destination the following day.

The march was joined by several other rallies from Peshawar and Lahore. A private force has been formulated by the PTI administration in order to provide security during the march.

Talking to media representatives, Khan spoke to the media stating that this march is meant for peace and not war. “We are just travelling with the message of peace and harmony and everyone should benefit from it,” stated the PTI Chief.

“Initially we were termed as the pro-Taliban and now were being labelled as the supporters of the West,” said Khan.

Khan accused JUI-F Chief Fazlur Rehman to have a strong hand in circulating adverse perception against PTI. “Fazlur Rehman is a charlatan who is spreading the wrong idea amongst people by labeling us as the agaents of Christians and Jews; as we are just trying to promote peace within the region,” said Khan.

“Fazlur Rehman is agitated by our popularity and it is for that reason he is talking against the march,” claimed Imran.

Meanwhile, PTI’s Chief Coordinatior DI Khan Malik Abdul Qayyum Khan criticized the government for blocking the routes towards Waziristan, creating further hurdles for the peace rally. He asserted that the government wanted to discourage people from Wana to join the march.

Earlier, few factions of the Tehreek Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had threatened PTI not to continue with the march stating that the PTI would have to face severe consequences if they continue with their march. They termed the PTI rally as an attempt to ‘misguide the simple people of Pakistan.’