Pakistan Today

August 14 march to Islamabad: PTI, PAT set out for Islamabad protest

PakistanToday

LAHORE-

On Pakistan’s 68th Independence Day, anti-government drives by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) are headed towards Islamabad to protest against alleged electoral rigging, calling for a resignation by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and introduction of electoral reforms.

Government’s attempt to urge PTI chief Imran Khan to call off march and administratively controlling PAT workers have bore no fruit as both parties are adamant to continue their drive against the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government.

Fears of violence and clashes persist in Punjab and the federal capital. Roads to Islamabad from Muree and Kashmir have been blocked off for traffic while containers have been installed in various cities in Punjab.

Article 245 has also been invoked in the capital, summoning the army for combating security risks.

Below are the latest updates and background of  events as they unfold:

 

 

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Latest updates

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Snail’s Pace

PTI rally had reached Lahore’s Data Darbar around midnight.

 

PTI to set stage in Aabpara, if allowed

An official written request was sent to the ICT Administration by PTI for holding the ‘Azadi’ march and setting up stage at Aabpara Chowk.

According to KP CM Khattak, PTI was given permission to set up stage at Serena chowk, the party might set up their stage at zero point to accomodate the large crowd.

‘Resignation out of question’

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif  ruled out the resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over alleged election rigging.

Sharif said that Pakistan needed stability, not anarchy at this critical time.

“The resignation of prime minister is out of question,” he said.

 

‘Mian sahib, I am coming to Islamabad!’

Khan urged the members of Election Commission to tender their resignations before his arrival in Islamabad.

He said that holding long march is his democratic right.

He said that he’s marching  to demand resignation of the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Khan said: “Mian sahib, I am coming to Islamabad.”

 

KP rally arrives in Islamabad

PTI rally from KP, lead by KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak reached Islamabad at around 8:30 pm.

 

While addressing his supporters at Toll Plaza in Islamabad,  Khattak asked them to remove containers to pave way for their convoy.

 

Containers were then removed by cranes and The CM’s convoy headed towards Zero Point.

 

PHOTO BY AGENCIES

 

Meanwhile, thousands of PTI activists from Rawalpindi reached Faizabad Chowk and marched towards Aabpara.

 

Imran and Hashmi,leading from the front

 

Nisar inspects security preparations in Islamabad

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali visited different parts of Islamabad and reviewed security arrangements being made in the federal capital ahead of arrival of PTI and PAT marches.

According to reports, Interior Minister Nisar inspected security measures at Faizabad, Zero Point, Aabpara and other areas.

Nisar is likely to address a press conference shortly.

LHC declares PTI,PAT demands ‘unconstitutional’

Lahore High Court on Thursday declared the four demands by PTI and PAT as unconstitutional.

According to reports, the court,  its 9-page judgment,  has ruled that the demands of resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif , Parliament dissolution, Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) restructuring and  a technocrat government setup are all unconstitutional.

The court further ruled that violation of the constitution by the parties will evoke a legal action. The court hearing was adjourned till September 12.  

PTI’s Azadi March roadmap

 Cameras installed from Murree to Zero Point

25 security cameras have been installed on the route from Kashmir point, Murree to Zero Point, Islamabad to monitor the traffic and security situation.

Azadi Marcher injured by Inquilab Bus 

A youth was injured when a coaster bus carrying PAT supporters on Ferozpur Road lost control and hit a motorcycle, a private news channel reported.

According to report, the youth hit by the minibus is a PTI worker. He has been injured but is out of danger. Rescue 1122 workers rushed to the site to provide him with medical assistance.

Meanwhile, a female supporter of PAT lost consciousness due to high temperature. She has been shifted to a hospital for medical treatment.

PML-Q leader urges people to come out

Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader  Pervaiz Elahi spoke to media in Lahore. The PML-Q leader said that everyone should come out on the street for change and betterment in the lives of the poor. He said that those not coming out today do not love Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan or PML-Q.

Fauzia Kasuri leads PTI Women Wing Punjab

PTI leader Fauzai Kasuri and  and Malaika Raza lead the female supporters in a float.

Govt., TuQ agree on terms

 

Talks between government and PAT chief Tahirul Qadri concluded with both parties agreeing on each other’s terms, a private news channel reported.

According to the report, Governor Punjab Chaudhary Muhammad Sarwar and Governor Sindh Dr. Ishratul Ibad brokered the deal between PAT and government.

The government has agreed to allow the PAT and well as PTI  rallies to enter Islamabad while in return, TuQ has promised that his rally would remain peaceful and will not attempt to enter the high security Red Zone. Qadri also agreed to hold the rally at Zero Point.

TuQ’s ‘Inquilab March’ embarks

– FILE PHOTO
 

PAT chief Dr.Tahirul Qadri addressed a press conference outside his Model Town residence at around 1:30. “Inquilab march is leaving for Islamabad,” he announced. He wished a happy Independence Day to the nation and vowed to win democratic rights for the people. Qadri gave a ten-point agenda to summarise the goal of his drive against the government. He said that the revolution is peaceful and democratic and seeks to alleviate poverty. The drive seeks electoral reforms, accountability of leaders, social rights, devolution of power, protection of minorities, women rights, efficient justice and devolution of power, he said.

 

PTI’s Azadi March begins at 1pm

  Photo courtesy: Shireen Mazari ‏twitter account
PHOTO BY AGENCIES
 

Around 10,000 supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) set out on  ‘Azadi March’ to Islamabad, being led by PTI Chairman Imran Khan, at around 1pm on Thursday.

The large convoy will stop at Punjab Assembly where party leaders will address the crowd. From there, the march will continue its journey towards Islamabad via GT Road, making stops at Data Darbat and Shahdara.

On GT Road, the march is scheduled to make stops at Gujranwala and Gujrat. Khan is expected to address the crowd at Data Darbar.

At 12: 30pm, Khan addressed a large crowd of his supporters outside his residence, a private news channel reported. Khan wished his supported a Happy Independence Day and recalled the historical struggle for Pakistan Movement. He vowed to continue the struggle for the country and asked his supporters to take part in the fight for betterment of Pakistan. “We will make ‘Naya Pakistan,” he said.

Imran Khan out side his home before setting out for ‘Azadi March’ – PHOTO BY Azadi March twitter account
 

Javed Hashmi joins Azadi March

Azadi March Morning


More than 10,000 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters were gathered outside the PTI camp Zaman Park in Lahore on Thursday morning.

Protesters from different parts of the country are continuously coming in to join the gathering which will be leaving for a march to the federal capital in protest of electoral rigging in May 2013 elections, calling for electoral reforms and resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

‘No matter what’

Speaking to media early on Thursday, PTI chief Imran Khan has said the march to Islamabad will go on ‘no matter what’.

PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi, while speaking to a local news reporter, said that the protesters will embark on their journey on a convenient time. He said that it is their constitutional right to protest peacefully and  Punjab police should release their workers as remove the container across Punjab, as ordered on Thursday by Lahore High Court (LHC).

Section 144

Meanwhile, section 144 has been invoked across the province of Punjab till August 17.  Roads in Lahore remain deserted while two routes leading to Jinnah Hospital have been closed for traffic.

It was also reported that police are only carrying batons as they have been barred from carrying weapons.

Reportedly, in Mianwali a convoy of PTI workers was stopped by police at Jhaal Chowk .

In Islamabad, roads from Murree and Kashmir to the capital have been blocked by installing containers and 20,000 security personnel have been deployed around Islamabad while the Red Zone of the capital in under aerial supervision.

FATA IDPs

A  20-van convoy of internally displaced persons from Jalozai camp have also set out from Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) to join the ‘Azadi March’ in Islamabad.

IDPs at Jalozai camp were mostly the residents of  Tirah and Bara.

Reportedly, a 50-van convoy of IDPs from Bannu is also on its way to Peshawar.

PTI has set-up camps in each FATA agency where the supporters to gathering to march to  Islamabad.

 

 

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