The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl’s (JUI-F) Azadi March caravan reached on Tuesday Gujranwala, from where it will make its way to Islamabad.
On Saturday, the Rahbar Committee and the government reached an agreement according to which the opposition agreed not to cross into the Red Zone.
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• Gujar Khan: March participants will be stay overnight at Gujar Khan in camps, sources said. The Sharif Park at GT Road was also allocated for the participants of Azadi March so they can resume journey towards Islamabad on Thursday morning.
• Kamoke: JUI-F’s Azadi March entered into Gujranwala district’s Kamoke later in the day.
The march’s participants were given a warm welcome upon arrival, after which Maulana Fazl responded to workers atop the container.
Fazl also addressed workers in Kamoke, saying that the country is in dire straits and people should support the march for saving Pakistan.
The JUI-F Ameer expressed his wish that the jailed political leaders soon get released.
• Muridke: Earlier, the caravan under Ameer Maulana Fazl reached Muridke in Sheikhupura district of Punjab.
Upon arrival, PML-N lawmaker Rana Tanveer warmly welcomed the march participants. JUI-F Ameer delivered a speech, where he urged supporters to pray for former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s health and the success of the march.
• Lahore: PkMAP provincial secretary addressed participants of the march at Minar-e-Pakistan.
Addressing the crowd at Minar-e-Pakistan, Maulana Fazl said that the protesters are peaceful and they will certainly send the rulers packing.
In his address, Fazl said that no one was harmed from Karachi to Lahore, adding that they will send the government home, within the confines of the Constitution and law.
• PPP preparations: PPP workers joined 'Azadi March' in Lahore, chanting anti-government slogans.
•Multan: After arriving in Multan on Tuesday, the caravan prepared for Lahore. A large crowd of supporters of the JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman joined their leader and chanted slogans against the government.
Addressing his supporters, Fazl said JUI-F was going to Islamabad to announce that the incumbent rulers were fake. "Government should resign before we reach Islamabad," he said.
“This government does not have any mandate,” he said. “The mandate can be seen in this march,” the JUI-F chief added.
Also read: October's historical and political significance in history of Pakistan
•Traffic plan for Oct 31: Deputy Commissioner Islamabad shares traffic plan for tomorrow (Thursday, October 31)
DC Islamabad also spoke about any notification of a local holiday on Wednesday. "Metro will be functional. All entry /exit routes will be opened. However at the time of entry of rally from 11 am to 5 pm Islamabad Expressway, Kashmir Highway and 9th Avenue will be temporarily sealed." he tweeted.
However, later on, DC Islamabad announced that metros will not be functional on Thursday.
Here are a few glimpses from the Azadi March on Tuesday.
Interior Secretary Azam Suleman reviews security situation at FO
A session held at the Foreign Office today, pertaining to Maulana Fazlur Rahman’s protest, concluded under the headship of Secretary Interior Azam Suleman.
The session, attended by representatives of all Law Enforcement Agencies, took a closer look at Fazlur Rahman’s Azaadi March, participants of which were permitted to enter Islamabad through the assigned route.
Moreover, non-custom paid vehicles and those carrying weaponry would be barred from entering the federal capital.
As per the agreement, entry into Islamabad’s Red Zone is prohibited.
Details: 100,000 people expected to converge on Islamabad for Azadi March
Last week, the government and opposition parties reached an agreement regarding the march.
Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak led the government delegation. He said that the committee did not demand Prime Minister Imran’s resignation neither did it say that it would topple the government.
“We expect the JUI-F to protest within the limits set out in the constitution of Pakistan,” he said. “If they remain peaceful, we will not create any hurdles for them.”
JUI-F KP chief presents Azadi March schedule
JUI-F Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) chief Maulana Atta Ur Rehman presided over a session where the schedule of the party’s Azadi March was presented.
According to the schedule, the JUI-F caravan will depart from KP on October 31. Caravans will depart from Peshawar, Chitral, Dir, Kohistan, Shangla and Tor Ghar for the federal capital.
Caravans will arrive at 2pm on October 31 at the Rashakai Interchange. Caravans from Khyber, Bajaur, and Mohmand will depart from the JUI-F provincial secretariat on October 31.
Caravans from the south district, South and North Waziristan, Kurram Agency, Orakzai and Kohat will arrive in Peshawar.
Caravans from Abbotabad, Mansehra, Battagram and Haripur will arrive at Hasan Abdal by 4pm.
Caravans from KP, Tribal areas and Punjab will enter Islamabad on October 31.