Thousands of protesters under the rallying banner of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F’s Maulana Fazlur Rehman and other opposition parties have converged on the federal capital, seeking to send packing Prime Minister Imran Khan-led govt, which they term ‘fake and selected’.
Dubbed the ‘Azadi’ March, the caravan, which set off from Sindh, left Punjab’s city Lahore on Wednesday and culminated its journey Thursday night in Islamabad.
Opposition leaders delivered fiery speeches against the PTI government on Thursday, giving PM Imran Khan a two-day ultimatum to resign.
Earlier, the ruling and the opposition parties reached an agreement to let the anti-government march progress as planned, as long as the protesters do not cross into the sensitive “Red Zone” in the federal capital.
Fazl demands PM's resignation within two days
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman addressed the charged crowd, saying 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.
"We will not allow them to further play with the emotions of the people," said the JUI-F chief.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has given Prime Minister Imran two days to resign and go home.
"We cannot show more patience," he said. "We are giving two days' time otherwise the people have the capability to enter the PM House by force and arrest the prime minister," he added.
In the same vein, the JUI-F chief said that the opposition doesn't want to clash with the institutions and wants to see them strengthened.
Religion card: 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?"
Unemployment at peak: The PTI-government vowed to give employment and houses to millions but instead they 'demolished houses of five million people', 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.
The JUI-F chief said that people are committing suicide due to the dire economic condition, adding that common man is in constant state of torment.
People are being murdered economically: Bilawal
Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto also arrived at the rally’s venue, to address the crowd.
Addressing the huge crowd gathered at H-9 park, 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.
Calling the prime minister incompetent, Bilawal said that the 'fake government' needs to be sent packing.
Shehbaz Sharif addresses Azadi March
PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif addressing the Azadi march said, “Tabadeeli did not come before it will come now.”
Shehbaz vowed to fix Pakistan's woes by forming a government, led by coalition partners.
He added, “Imran Khan Niazi you started container politics, today, here container politics will be buried here.”
“Today we see, that the Naya Pakistan was better or the old one. Under Nawaz 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.
"This year, 50,000 have been affected by dengue," he asserted.
He added, "Everything is expensive today. We will make economy better in six months."
"You started the container politics and you said you will burn down this parliament. Despite rigged elections we offered the charter of economy, but you refused our offer," he added.
