Live Updates (Day 1): Imran Khan leads Azadi March

LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: Spearheaded by Imran Khan, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Azadi March (independence march) which began its journey from Zaman Park, Lahore Thursday morning is now on its way to Islamabad.

Live Updates

23:04: Containers placed on Zero Point in Islamabad. There is only room for one car to pass.

22:45: PML-N workers also start gathering near Dara Darbar.

22:40: Azadi march reaches Data Darbar

21:40: Argument between PTI and PAT workers near Mall Road underpass. Workers chanted slogans against each other.

21:24: Azadi March reaches Data Darbar.

21:00: Eight hours after departing from Zaman Park the Azadi March has not left Lahore

20:43: Interior Minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan says the rallies of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) are expected to enter Islamabad by Friday morning but warns that no one will be allowed to violate the law and Constitution.




20:38: Islamabad government allocates locations for Azadi March and Inquilab March. According to sources PTI rally will be held at Aabpara near Kashmir Highway. PAT will be allowed to hold rally at Zero Point.

20:09: Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif says residents of Lahore have dismissed the marches.

19:43: Imran Khan addresses Azadi March at Charing Cross, Lahore.

Khan says he is going to Islamabad to ask for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's resignation. The PTI chairman reiterates that protest is their democratic right. Khan further says the wealth of those governing the country is abroad and vows to keep his money in Pakistan. Khan called for the Election Commission to resign before he arrived in Islamabad and told the crowd that it was unconstitutional to win elections through rigging.

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19:40: PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal says there is no danger to Nawaz Sharif’s government and marchers will leave Islamabad disappointed.

19:30: PPP leader, Senator Raza Rabbani says if democratic system is derailed it will not be restored in his lifetime.

19:05: Azadi March led by Imran Khan arrives at Charing Cross. Covered distance from Zaman Park in six hours.




19:00: A PTI caravan from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa enters Islamabad

18:45: Punjab Law Minister Rana Mashood says problems can only be solved in light of the law and constitution. Mashood adds those speaking of the law and constitution should respect the LHC decision.

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18:28: PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa rally led by Pervaiz Khattak reaches provincial interchange.



18:24: Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid says Imran Khan should respect the Lahore High Court order.

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18:16: Azadi March aerial view at Charing Cross.




17:52: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar will hold news conference at 8:00 PM

17:50: Route from Expressway in Rawalpindi to Islamabad blocked.

17:30: Several PTI workers reach Zero Point, Islamabad and chant slogans in favour of Imran Khan.

17:05: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has issued directives for blocking entrance routes to Islamabad around Zero Point.



17:40: Pakistan People’s Party leader and former president Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Aitzaz Ahsan Thursday said that judges should abstain from handing down rulings on political issues. He said no demand can be declared unconstitutional rather an act or procedure to implement it may fall in the category of being called so.

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17:30: Several PTI workers reach Zero Point, Islamabad and chant slogans in favour of Imran Khan.

17:05: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has issued directives for blocking entrance routes to Islamabad around Zero Point.

17:25: Commenting on LHC order, Aitzaz Ahsan says no demand can be unconstitutional but how it is implemented can be.

16:50: Federal Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique says the government has given permission and now the PTI and PAT should show strength of one million people as promised. Rafique adds the PTI and PAT will not face any resistance from the government and they are free to travel will Zero Point. "It is the responsiblity of the PTI and PAT to ensure that their workers remain peaceful."

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15:58: Lahore High Court (LHC) issues nine page detailed order on long marches. LHC order states Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri’s demands violate the constitution.

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15:28: PTI workers wait for arrival of central leadership at Charing Cross.



15:20: PTI leader Andleeb Abbas tells Geo News there is presence of PML-N workers in the PTI Azadi March. Abbas says Azadi March will stay in Islamabad until PTI demands are met.

15:00: Islamabad’s roads being opened for Azadi March and Inquilab March. Red zone will remain sealed.



14:30: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar reaches Faizabad, Islamabad to review security arrangements. Faizabad has been completely shut.

14:20: Azadi March reaches Dharampura underpass in Lahore

14:15: Governor Punjab says PTI, PAT long marches are allowed to travel to Zero Point and the heads of both parties have assured that peace will be maintained. Governor Punjab adds that both marches will not be allowed to enter Islamabad’s red zone.




13:50:

2 hundred thousand workers from #Peshawar will start journey at 3:00 PM via Motor Way & take part in #AzadiMarchPTI - says @imranismailpti

— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 14, 2014

13:30: Javed Hashmi joins Azadi March caravan.



13:10 pm: Peshawar GT Road and Service Road blocked by containers near Sangjani point

12:40 pm: The caravan of leaders and workers of PTI proceeded to Islamabad. The leaders are present inside a secured container.

12:30 pm: Imran Khan addressed the people gathered outside his residence in Zaman Park, Lahore during which he said that freedom is never offered on a platter and has to be snatched.

“We will free Pakistan from pharaohs,” Khan said.





The PTI chief was accompanied by Sheikh Rashid, Asad Umar, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Arif Alvi, Shireen Mazari, Jehangir Tareen, Shafqat Mehmood and Ejaz Chaudhary before heading out from his Zaman Park residence in Lahore.

Before leaving for the long march, the PTI chief summoned a meeting at his residence to discuss the further plan of action to be taken by the party.

It may be mentioned that the government of Punjab has finally decided not to create hurdles for the supporters and workers of PTI who have gathered from all over the country to participate in the ‘Azadi March’ towards the federal capital on the Independence Day today.

The sources, on the other hand, told that the workers of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) will not be allowed to leave Model Town to participate in the long march, and whoever will defy the orders will be dealt with iron hands. However, they are allowed to protest outside their secretariat, sources added.

Also, the government of Punjab has finally decided not to create hurdles for the supporters and workers of PTI who have gathered from all over the country to participate in the long march towards the federal capital on the Independence Day today.

The PTI workers and sympathizers are marching towards Islamabad, dubbing it as ‘Azadi March’ against the rigging in the general elections of May 2013 and are demanding the current government to step down.