JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the incumbent government has left the people of occupied Kashmir alone. He said that the people of Kashmir will fight for their independence and right to self-determination. The cleric said the PTI government has no right to stay in power as it had come to power through ‘systematic rigging’ in the 2018 general elections. “We reject the results of the rigged elections. This prime minister should resign,” he said to thunderous sloganeering from his supporters.
The JUI-F chief picked holes in the economic policies of the government, saying that the “incompetence” of the PTI administration has destroyed the economy. “People are committing suicide. They are forced to sell their children … we won’t let the government to further destroy the country,” he said.
“They promised five million houses and 10 million jobs [before coming to power], but only State Bank’s governor and FBR’s had come to Pakistan for job – and they too had been sent by the IMF,” he said.
He was referring to speculation that SBP Governor Reza Baqir and FBR Chairman Shabber Zaidi have been appointed against the coveted slots at the behest of International Monetary Fund (IMF) which has given Pakistan a $6 billion bailout package.
“We refuse to accept the Western economic system. We want the Islamic economic system in this country,” the cleric said.
The cricketer-turned-politician, Imran Khan, who came to power based on his massive his fan-following, appears to have lost some of his personality charisma, due to the rising prices of food and daily-use items.
‘PTI govt damaged Kashmir cause’
The JUI-F chief has been accused by the government of taking the global spotlight off Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) by staging his rally. The cleric, however, told his supporters that the PTI government was to blame for damaging the Kashmir cause.
“We will fight for the rights of Kashmiris,” he said. “On the one hand our relations with India are strained due to the Kashmir siege, while on the other hand, we are opening Kartarpur corridor for Sikh pilgrims.”JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the Azadi March did not want to clash with the institutions of the country.
"We want the institutions of the country to remain strong. We don't want to clash with them. But we also want these institutions to remain neutral," he added.
Fazl said that the people of Pakistan had given their verdict and it was that the government had to go."The general elections were a sham and fraud," he said. "This government has to go. We cannot give it further time," he added.
Fazl said that his followers were peaceful otherwise these people had the capability to 'arrest' the prime minister of Pakistan.
The JUI-F chief said that he was giving PM Imran two days to resign.
Fazl lashed out at Prime Minister Imran for linking his march to India.
"On the one hand, you are about to sign an agreement with India for Kartarpur and you're making accusations against me," he said.
He slammed the government for failing to live up to its promises. Falz said that the government had promised to build five million homes for the poor.
"They have demolished more than five million homes instead," he said.
Fazl said that the prime minister had promised that his government would improve the economy to the extent that people from overseas would seek jobs in the country.
"Only two people have sought employment in Pakistan from abroad--the FBR chairman and the State Bank governor," he said.
Fazl said that the rulers could not be allowed to further play with the people of Pakistan.
"Youngsters in this country are committing suicides. Rickshaw drivers are setting fire to their rickshaws," he said.
Fazl said that the economy of the country had been destroyed and unemployment was on the rise.
The JUI-F chief lashed out at the government for alleging that he was using the religion card to instigate the masses.
"Who are you to deny me the right when our constitution talks about religion," he asked. "Who are you to deny me my rights that are enshrined in the constitution?"
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addresses participants of the march------
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari arrived at the H-9 Sunday Bazaar venue. Standing atop the container with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and other leaders of the party, Bilawal lashed out at the government. The scion of the Bhutto dynasty, who also shared the stage with the opposition leaders, said that the power-show is a loud and clear message for Premier Imran that his time is up now.“This is a selected government and its policies have proven that public welfare has never been a consideration for them. The people of Pakistan have never and will never accept this government,” said Bilawal Bhutto Zardari whose father, aunt and key leaders of his party are also facing corruption cases.
Bilawal heaped criticism on the government for its flawed economic policies which have made the life difficult for the common man. “Our country’s economy is dependent on outside influences,” he said while citing the “PTI-IMF budget” as an example.Questioning the legitimacy of the present democratic set-up, Bilawal said the people of Pakistan favoured the constitutional and democratic system of the past.
The PPP leader also lashed out at the alleged media blackout of the ‘Azadi March’ and vowed that his party would support all democratic efforts for the removal of the “puppet prime minister”.
The PPP chairman said that Pakistan’s people only believe in democracy.
Bilawal said that even after 70 years, transparent elections cannot be held in Pakistan.The PPP chairman said that 'economic murder' of the people was being carried out by this government.
"Even during the Musharraf era we never witnessed such rigging," he said."Our polling agents were kicked out of the polling stations."
Bilawal said that it was unfortunate how even after 70 years, Pakistan couldn't hold transparent elections.
Shehbaz addresses Azadi March jalsa
Speaking on the occasion, Shehbaz came down hard on the PTI government for its “anti-poor policies” and “arrogant attitude” of Prime Minister Imran. PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif addressing the Azadi March said, “Imran Khan Niazi you started container politics, today container politics will be buried here.”
“Today we see, that the old Pakistan was better than the new one. Under Nawaz's premiership, medicines were free for the poor, today medicines have been taken from them.Was that Pakistan better where there was no dengue or the one now where there is dengue now,” he asked.
"Had we got the 10 per cent of the support that Imran Khan is enjoying of the institutions we would have made Pakistan a far better country than it is now."
Addressing a mammoth crowd in Islamabad, Shehbaz Sharif said Azadi March would wipe out what he called the 'selected government' of 'selected' prime minister.The PML-N president, whose family has suffered the most due to the government’s accountability drive, denounced Imran as a “brainless” leader who “relies on sorcery and supernatural guidance” for key policy decisions.
“This protest will sweep away Imran Khan and his government,” Shehbaz said while referring to the ‘Azadi March’.
“If God gives us another opportunity, we will put up a united front and work on fixing Pakistan’s economy,” he said. “Imran Khan has full support of all institutions. If we had only 10% of this support, we would have taken Pakistan on a Sputnik-like flight.”The PML-N president said Imran was having taste of own medicines. He reminded the premier that the PTI had set a precedent for such protests.“This sea of humans has made it clear that now is the time for change. We will rebuild Pakistan once again under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif and our economy will be back on its feet within six months,” said Shehbaz.
Ahsan Iqbal addresses Azadi March
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Ahsan Iqbal addressed the march participants, saying that there is no respect for the voted representative.
He said that this country cannot progress until there is an elected-government holding the reins of power.
Fazl gives PM Imran a two-day ultimatum to resign
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the Azadi March did not want to clash with the institutions of the country.
"We want the institutions of the country to remain strong. We don't want to clash with them. But we also want these institutions to remain neutral," he added.
Fazl said that the people of Pakistan had given their verdict and it was that the government had to go."The general elections were a sham and fraud," he said. "This government has to go. We cannot give it further time," he added.
Fazl said that his followers were peaceful otherwise these people had the capability to 'arrest' the prime minister of Pakistan.
The JUI-F chief said that he was giving PM Imran two days to resign.
Participants of the march to stay for a minimum of 10-15 days
Geo News journalist and author Hamid Mir said on Friday that participants of the Azadi March will not leave within two to three days but would stay at the venue for a minimum of 10-15 days.
Speaking to Geo News, Mir said that he had spoken to the people who were participating in the Azadi March.
"These people are not here to stay two to three days," he said. "They are here to stay for a minimum 10-15 days," he added.
Mir said that he spoke to Fazl, who was wondering how he would send so many people home.
He said that within the next 24 hours, the marchers could proceed further than the H-9 venue where they were currently holding the jalsa.
"I spoke to Ghafoor Haideri and told him that you have an agreement with the government. Haideri told me that the government had itself violated the agreement by arresting our people."
Mir said that Maulana Fazl would address the rally after Asr prayers where he would most likely make an important announcement.
Mir clarified that he had climbed atop the stage to ensure that female journalists could be allowed to cover the Azadi March.
"I spoke to Maulana Fazl after I received a lot of complaints from female journalists that they were not being allowed to cover the jalsa," he said.
Mir said that Ghafoor Haideri then called on Mir to make the announcement from the stage that women journalists could cover the march and that they were allowed to report the event.
"I then made the announcement on the stage and thanked Fazl," he said. "I told them that there were already too many attempts to gag the press hence we didn't need more censorship."
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addresses participants of the march
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari arrived at the H-9 Sunday Bazaar venue. Standing atop the container with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and other leaders of the party, Bilawal lashed out at the government.
The PPP chairman said that Pakistan’s people only believe in democracy.
Bilawal said that even after 70 years, transparent elections cannot be held in Pakistan.The PPP chairman said that 'economic murder' of the people was being carried out by this government.
"Even during the Musharraf era we never witnessed such rigging," he said."Our polling agents were kicked out of the polling stations."
Bilawal said that it was unfortunate how even after 70 years, Pakistan couldn't hold transparent elections.
Shehbaz addresses Azadi March jalsa
PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif addressing the Azadi March said, “Imran Khan Niazi you started container politics, today container politics will be buried here.”
“Today we see, that the old Pakistan was better than the new one. Under Nawaz's premiership, medicines were free for the poor, today medicines have been taken from them.Was that Pakistan better where there was no dengue or the one now where there is dengue now,” he asked.
"Had we got the 10 per cent of the support that Imran Khan is enjoying of the institutions we would have made Pakistan a far better country than it is now."
Addressing a mammoth crowd in Islamabad, Shehbaz Sharif said Azadi March would wipe out what he called the 'selected government' of 'selected' prime minister.
Top opposition leaders reach venue
Senior opposition leaders including PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif, Senator Pervaiz Rasheed, Khawaja Asif, Khurram Dastagir, PPP’s Nayyer Bukhari and ANP’s Iftikhar Hussain have arrived at the venue.
I will not bow down to pressure, says PM Imran
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said he will not bow down to the pressure being exerted by the opposition parties as he has been fighting against these corrupt elements in the country for the last 22 years.
Speaking at a rally in Gilgit, the prime minister said while Fazlur Rehman is here there’s no need for Jewish conspiracies against Pakistan.
Speaking before the planned address of JUI-F chief in Islamabad, PM Imran said the protest rally has made our enemy happy and we must look into why Indian media is giving more space to Fazlur Rehman.
I will put all of them into jail, the prime minister said.
“If today, Fazlur Rehman is given diesel permit or Kashmir Committee chairmanship, Islam would be secured. They have always used the religion for their own interests but the nation has come to know about their reality.”
‘Bar on female journalists is unconstitutional’
Senior PTI leader Babar Awan has termed bar on female journalists from covering the Azadi March as unconstitutional and violation of Article 25.
In a statement to media the former law minister urged human rights organisations to take notice of the situation.
Lack of female participation in Azadi March called out
PTI stalwart Asad Umar on Friday called out the opposition parties over the absence of women in their on-going Azadi March.
The former finance minister took to social media to take a jibe at the Azadi March led by JUI-F Ameer Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
“One thing is clear from what has been seen of the opposition march so far.... Their vision of Pakistan is one where women have no place in the public space,” he tweeted.
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday issued a five-page detailed decision of declaring the measures of stopping Azadi March news and press conference of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman illegal. The PHC directed that equal coverage be given to the government and opposition on TV channels.
Will Prime Minister Imran Khan give way and stand down because of the pressure mounted by the Azadi March organised by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and intensification of the protest in the coming days?
The question naturally rises as the JUI-F supremo has refused to budge from his firm stand that Imran Khan has to hand his resignation. As of today, no amount of pressure and incentives has worked to coax Fazlur Rehman into backing down. He has also not been managed thus far.
While none of us might be having any idea as of now as to what Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman would actually achieve or boast to accomplish in coming hours and days through his long march against the incumbent Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government, there is absolutely no doubt that a hand in glove relationship of the religious and political parties has proved a lethal combination on many occasions in the country's history, research shows.
Won’t accept 'selected' PM: Bilawal
Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who joined the Azadi March late on Thursday, said the people of Pakistan don’t accept any 'selected' or 'puppet' prime minister and it’s time for him to go home.
“The people of this country won’t accept any selected or puppet premier nor are they willing to surrender to any dictator,” said Bilawal, addressing the Azadi March in Islamabad.
Addressing the charged crowd, the young PPP chairman said: "The people of this country want only democracy and freedom from all the puppets and the selected (rulers)."
Azadi March enters Islamabad via expressway
The JUI-F caravan had arrived in Islamabad from the expressway. JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who is leading the caravan, had announced earlier that he would use the expressway to enter the federal capital.
ANP chief Wali says no rift among opposition parties
ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan addresses participants of the march. Wali says that the jalsa programme was set by the Rahbar Committee.
"The Rahbar Committee set October 31 as the date for the jalsa," he said.
Wali said that he had spoken to Rahbar Committee Convener Akram Durrani on the phone before he left for Islamabad.
"There is no difference in the opposition," said the ANP chief.
He said that the last decision of the Rahbar Committee was to hold the jalsa today (Friday).
"Rahbar Committee's last decision was to hold the jalsa today," he said. "No one informed us about any changes after the last decision of the committee," he added.
Wali lashed out at Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed over the Tezgam fire incident, claiming that ever since Rashid had been appointed, Pakistan railways had lost track.
"Ever since this man has been appointed, our railways has derailed," he said.
Wali thanked God that enough people had assembled for the jalsa.
"I thank God there are so many men," he said. "We will do our jalsa."
The mystery surrounding the next phase of the Azadi March of Jamiat Ulemae Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman after it reaches the federal capital continues to haunt the political landscape.
The reason is simple: Fazlur Rehman has kept his future plan a closely guarded secret and has not unveiled his elaborate programme. At the moment, it is anybody’s guess whether he will opt for a sit-in for a specified or indefinite time; whether he will advance towards the Red Zone to camp at the D Chowk on the pattern of the 2014 protest of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT); and whether he will wrap up the protest by holding a public meeting in the fixed venue of Sunday Bazaar ground in H-9 sector on the premise that he has achieved his objectives
Army will be called in to assist the civil administration during the Azadi March of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).
It was decided during a high-level meeting at the Ministry of Interior on Wednesday with secretary interior in the chair. Army troops will be deployed in the third tier of the inner circle of the security, Rangers will be positioned in the second tier and the police force will be posted in the front tier of security, said a spokesman of the Interior Ministry.
Questioning the legitimacy of the present democratic set-up, Bilawal said the people of Pakistan favoured the constitutional and democratic system of the past.
The PPP leader also lashed out at the alleged media blackout of the ‘Azadi March’ and vowed that his party would support all democratic efforts for the removal of the “puppet prime minister”.
