PTI, PAT marching to Islamabad: Day Two

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LAHORE-

On Pakistan’s 68th Independence Day, anti-government drives by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) 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.

You can read the roundup of the happenings of Day one of the march here and the monitoring desk live updates here.

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

 

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Latest updates

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Imran Khan goes ‘missing’; Qadri allowed to hold sit-in at Suharwardy Chowk

Private news channels are reporting that PTI Chairman Imran Khan has gone ‘missing’ from Faizabad as his vehicle turned towards an unkown destination, raising concerns in all intelligence agencies. A channel earlier reported that Khan was seen at a house in Islamabad’s F-8 sector but there has been no confirmation of that report. Meanwhile, thousands of PTI supporters are anxiously waiting for their leader, who is expected to give a timeline to the government regarding his demand of resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

On the other hand, PAT chief Tahirul Qadri has been allowed to hold a protest rally at Suharwardy CHowk in Islamabad. He also hasn’t reached the rally venue so far to address his followers.

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‘Azadi’ March enters Islamabad 

The caravan of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf entered Islamabad at 11.30pm as Imran Khan has announced that the party would hold its sit-in at Kashmir Highway near Serena Hotel.

Khan tweeted that he is on his way to the designated place in a little while and all party supporters should reach the venue.

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‘Inqilab’ enters Islamabad

Convoys of PAT’s Inqilab March arrived in Islamabad at around 6:30pm.

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30,000 personnel on duty in Islamabad

Interior Minister Chaudary Nisar announced that 30 thousand security personnel have taken charge of the security of Islamabad.

A heavy contingent of security personnel arrived at the locations designated for the protest rallies of PTI and PAT and took positions, he added.

The announcement comes as PTI rally arrives in Lala Moosa while the PAT rally reaches Sohawa.

Siraj endorses peace

Jamat-e-Islami Chief Sirajul Haq addressed the media. He said that the government should form a dialogue committee of politicians to find a solution to the current political turmoil.

He demanded that the government should take measures to ensure the protest march goes on peacefully and incidents like that of Gujranwala should not take place again.

PAT allowed to hold rally at Zero Point

ICT administration approved the written requested submitted by PAT to hold a rally at zero point.
According to reports,  PAT will now be staging its rally in front on PIMS hospital on Faisal Avenue.

Qadri hopeful of a Million March

PAT Chairman Tahir ul Qadri  has ruled out the possiblity of a martial law in the country due to the political turmoil in the country.

“Our march will not be paving way for a martial law,” he said in a media briefing before setting out towards Islamabad from Jehlum.

He said that his party workers have not carried out a single violent attack while claiming that with around 500, 000 to 600, 000  participants in the Inqilab March, the figure will cross one million mark by the time they arrive in Islamabad.

He condemned the attack on PTI rally in Gujranwala.

PTI arrives in Gujrat

PTI rally continued its journey at a slow pace and reached Gujrat fromWazirabad at around 5pm, travelling a distance of 18 km in 1.5 hours.

KP CM press conference

KP CM Pervaiz Khattak and PTI leader Jahangir Tareen addressed a press conference at 4pm.

Tareen held the government responsible for attack on PTI workers in Gujranwala and asked why the road blockade to Islamabad have not been removed by the interior ministry, as it was claimed last night.

He further said that the protest will end the moment the PM resigns.

He appealed to the PTI workers to remain peaceful.

 

Shift to bulletproof vehicle

Upon reaching Wazirabad at around 3:30 pm , Imran Khan stepped off the container and boarded a bulletproof car upon directions of security authorities.

‘Get to capital ASAP’

Khan has directed his workers to speed up the rally and arrive in Islamabad as soon as possible.

 

 

Jemima worried for Khan

The ex-wife of PTI chief Imran Khan has  expressed concern for the security of Khan. She has asked to be kept updated about the progress of Azadi March through Twitter updates.

CM takes notice of Gujranwala clash 

PML-N blames PTI for inciting workers

Saad Rafiq:PML-N office was attacked by participants of long march, after that PML-N workers hurrld stones in retaliation.

 

 

Blue Area off-limits for PAT   Talks between Islamabad Admin and Pakistan Awami Tehreek failed, reported a private news channel. PAT will not be  allowed to protest in Blue Area .  IG Punjab takes notice of clash  IG Punjab tooks notice of the clash between PTI and PML-N workers and directed the CPO to reach the site. Speaking to media, the IG said that six vehciles of Elite Force are gurading the convoy of PTI Azadi March.

  Khan tells workers to stay peaceful 

 Imran Khan calls all PTI workers to remain Peaceful. #AzadiMarchPTI #PTI pic.twitter.com/qXD2Eo3qic — PTI (@PTIofficial) August 15, 2014  

 

LIVE UPDATE: Chairman Imran Khan is reciting Kalima-e-Shahadat and saying He wont Backoff Untill Haqiqi Azadi. #AzadiMarchPTI

 

 

    Army should intervene, says Sheikh Rasheed

Sheikh Rasheed, speaking to a local news channel, said that the PM should resign and the army should intervene.

Rasheed, confirming the reports of clashes between PTI, PML-N workers, said that the event took place before the police deputed at the location.

Imran Khan warns Shareef Brothers

Imran Khan, while speaking to a news channel, said that if any of his party workers was harmed, he would take legal action against the Shareef brothers.

Speaking via telephone from Gujranwala, Khan directed his party workers to hold the PM and CM Punjab responsible in case something happens to him during the march.

He alleged that the police stood watching as the PML-N workers attacked the convoy and fired bullets at his container. He said that the attackers climbed over the roofs of police vehicles and pelted stones at PTI workers.

He said that he would return from Islamabad only once the ‘master of Gullu Butt’ resigns from his post.

 

PML-N, PTI clash in Gujranwala

Workers from PML-N allegedly attacked the PTI convoy in Gujranwala, a private news channel reported at 12pm.

PTI workers were pelted with stones by PML-N supporters, leading to a scuffle between the two crowds.

Reportedly, four PTI workers were injured, while windows of the container, in which Imran Khan and other PTI leaders are travelling, were smashed.

Police on duty for security intervened and managed the situation.

 

 

Imran’s sons not in march

 

March arrives in Gujranwala

 

 

Thousands of  PTI protesters enroute to Islamabad were arrived in Gujranwala at around on August 15 morning.

PTI chief Imran Khan reiterated his demands while speaking to supporters and media persons in the city, a private news channel reported.

Khan claimed that ruling PML-N government were using tactics to stop his march.

“Vehicle of our leader, Mr. Kasuri, was pelted with stones near Gujranwala and some people from PML-N threw nails at Faizabad from a helicopter bursting tyres of car and bikes in our convoy and injuring our people. This is a shameful effort to sabotage our plan,” he said.

 

 

Khan said that the government that has come into power through rigging and fraud.

“Free and fair elections are impossible without sentencing those involved in rigging,” Khan said.

Speaking about his container, the PTI chief said that it was not  a luxury,  bullet-proof container.
He also claimed that his one million supporters will join him in Islamabad.

“If God willing, one million Pakistanis will be with me in Islamabad. They are now seeking liberty and democracy., he said.

“We have already so much power so that we can overthrow the government,” he claimed.

 

Sit-in preferred in Blue Area

Dr Tahirul Qadri, speaking to a local news channel said that the preferred place for his party’s sit-in would be the  Constitution Avenue in Blue Area, Islamabad.

Qadri’s convoy reached Jhelum at around 11pm on Friday.

Qadri added that he is expecting to reach capital late in the evening and would then contact PTI chief Imran Khan.

 

Azadi March rejected, says Rana

Punjab Law Minister Rana Mashhood claimed that the Azadi March has been rejected by the nation.

He said that the thin participation of people in the march at Gujranwala proved that the show is not successful.

Mashhood said that it would have been better if Khan used his energy for development of the country instead of staging protests only.

“The government gave permission to the party to go ahead with protests only if they are staged peacefully”, he added.

 PAT makes a stop in Kharian

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PAT convoy reached Kharian at around 7am on Friday morning.

Speaking to media, PAT chief Dr.Qadri said at least 40 to 50 people were martyred in the Model Town incident in Lahore but the police personnel whisked away 30 to 40 bodies.

He alleged that later on the bodies were delivered to the bereaved families, who were browbeaten by police to silently accept them, saying these people were killed in ‘roadside accidents’.

 

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