100,000 people to join Azadi March

AMN / ISLAMABAD

More than 100,000 workers of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) are expected to converge in Islamabad next week for a ‘Azadi March’ push to to oust Imran Khan government.

The size of the march can match the rallies of political parties in recent past against the governments, easily outnumbering the “2014 dharna” arranged by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman claims to have the support of other political parties protesting against the PTI policies, which according to him, are pushing the country into deep “chaos and uncertainty.”

“We plan for a big first power show in Sukkur today (October 28), second in Multan on October 29, third in Lahore on October 30, and then the final ‘Azadi March’ has been planned for Islamabad,” said Attaur Rehman, a senior leader of the JUI-F who is leading the protest from KP province.

Once marchers reach Islamabad next week, the government plans to install more than 5,000 containers in twin cities to stop the protestors’ movement. Authorities of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) have called out 8,000 policemen to Islamabad from outside the capital as well.

The military would remain at the disposal of local police, if there comes any need. The ICT administration has also asked for Rs50 million in funds to feed the policemen while they better patrol the city.