PTI long march converges on Peshawar amid new bus service and Saudia Airlines milestone
Peshawar found itself at the intersection of Pakistan's political crisis and civic progress this week, as the PTI's long march demanding Imran Khan's release entered the city on its fifth day while residents also witnessed two positive milestones: the launch of a dedicated women's bus service on the BRT network and the inauguration of Saudia Airlines' first office in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
🗳️ KP Chief Minister Leads PTI Convoy into Peshawar on Fifth Day
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi on Thursday vowed to press ahead with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf long march as the party's convoy reached Peshawar on the fifth consecutive day of its journey, which began in Lakki Marwat on October 4, 2026. Speaking to marchers in Peshawar, Afridi declared there was no way back, saying the march was a struggle for true freedom and that the dream of that freedom would certainly be fulfilled. He thanked the people of Khyber, the southern districts and Peshawar for participating and urged them to maintain their energy and commitment. Afridi defended the provincial government's performance, citing a Digital Governance Award, and said that those questioning the administration's record were in a state of panic. He said the convoy would next head towards Swabi and that he would lead the march himself from that point. The Express Tribune reported that the PTI remained open to meaningful negotiations while maintaining that the movement would not be abandoned. The march demands the release of imprisoned PTI founder Imran Khan and frames itself as a constitutional and democratic movement within the framework of Pakistan's law. [3]
🤝 Women Welcome New BRT Pink Bus Service in Peshawar
Women from across Peshawar's professional and civic life came together to welcome the launch of the BRT Peshawar Pink Bus Service, participating in a special inaugural trip that celebrated the dedicated women's transport facility. The service was welcomed as a positive step towards safe, reliable and dignified public transport for women in the city. The inaugural journey was attended by Senator Rubina Naz, provincial Ombudsperson Rubab Mehdi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women Secretary Shazia Atta, former MPA Rabia Basri and Frontier College for Women Principal Dr Shaheen Umar, as well as lawyers, students, social workers and doctors. The launch signals a commitment by the city's bus rapid transit system to address the specific safety and comfort needs of female passengers, who have historically faced challenges using public transport in Pakistani cities. The News Pakistan reported the event on October 7, 2026, noting that participants viewed the service as a meaningful step toward inclusion. The event drew representatives from government, civil society and academia, reflecting broad support for the initiative across different sectors of Peshawar life. [6]
🏢 Saudia Inaugurates First Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Office in Peshawar
Saudi Arabia's national carrier Saudia — the Kingdom's first and oldest airline — has inaugurated its first office in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, with the ceremony held in Peshawar. KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi attended the inauguration alongside Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki. The opening marks a milestone for air travel services in the province, where hundreds of thousands of residents travel to Saudi Arabia each year primarily for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages as well as work. Governor Kundi expressed hope that the new office would improve travel services for people of the region and used the occasion to call for the establishment of a Saudi consulate in Peshawar to further facilitate residents. The airline's physical presence in Peshawar is expected to streamline ticketing, documentation and customer service for passengers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who have historically needed to access Saudia's services through offices in other cities. Arab News PK reported the inauguration, noting that the KP governor viewed the development as part of strengthening people-to-people links between the province and Saudi Arabia. [7]
🪔 Governor Kundi Calls for Festivals to Project KP's Global Cultural Image
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi held a meeting with a delegation of the Floral Society, led by Fareeda Tariq Nishtar, at the Governor's House in Peshawar, stressing the importance of promoting the province's rich heritage, culture and tourism through floral festivals and similar cultural activities. Governor Kundi said such initiatives could help project the province's soft image at the international level and present a positive picture of Pakistan to the world. He said Pakistan was a country with immense tourism potential and that its positive aspects deserved to be highlighted globally. He noted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was specifically blessed with scenic beauty and tourism opportunities that remained underappreciated outside the region. The meeting, reported by The News Pakistan on October 9, 2026, reflected a broader push by provincial leadership to diversify how the region is perceived internationally, moving beyond security-focused narratives to showcase cultural richness. The Floral Society's engagement with the Governor points to growing interest among civil society organisations in using cultural programming as a tool for image-building and promoting regional identity on a global stage. [4]
Sources: [3] The Express Tribune · [6] The News Pakistan · [7] Arab News PK · [4] The News Pakistan