Maulana Fazl says Azadi March ‘represents the entire nation’

Anti-govt rally is heading towards Lahore from Multan which is expected to reach Islamabad by October 31

MULTAN: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who is leading an anti-government protest dubbed as Azadi March, said on Tuesday that the opposition's "march is a representation of the entire nation".

Before proceeding to Lahore, Fazl addressed a crowd in Multan where he was welcomed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior politician Javed Hashmi.

Today the business community of this country is suffering.Investors are moving their capital out of the country. We are fighting for the survival of this country. We had come to protect this country's Constitution and democracy.
@juimediaservice#VoiceOfPakistan_AzadiMarch pic.twitter.com/W2fBkl8wuw

— JUI Media Services (@AfghanTimesUrdu) October 29, 2019

The JUI-F chief said that his party considers the Constitution of the country as the charter of the nation."Our fight is for the protection of people's constitutional rights and the country."

He accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government of making the Kashmir issue knotty and shedding ‘crocodile tears’ over the plight of Kashmiri people. “The whole world’s leaders know that you [PM Imran Khan] have compromised on Kashmir. Don’t further deceive Kashmiris by expressing fake sympathy.”

Later today, Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the government would not create any hurdles in Azadi March as long as its participants followed the law but warned them of strict action if agreement signed with his negotiation team is violated.

“We will not create hurdles if the march remains peaceful and within the legal boundaries … however, strict action will be taken if the agreement is violated,” the premier was quoted as saying during the cabinet meeting.

Addressing the rally, Hashmi said following the directive of his party supremo Nawaz Sharif, the PML-N "will fully support the JUI-F's rally".

"The PML-N will support the JUI-F march at every nook and corner of Punjab and the people of this country are the real ruler whose decision will have to be respected at any cost,” he added.

مولانا فضل الرحمان جن مقاصد کو لے کر نکلے ہیں ہم ان سے مکمل طور پہ اتفاق کرتے ہیں اور میاں نوازشریف صاحب کے حکم کے مطابق ہماری جماعت مسلم لیگ ن ہر شہر سے انکے شانہ بشانہ چلے گی.جاویدہاشمی pic.twitter.com/Vf4Q5i1xy6

— PMLN (@pmln_org) October 29, 2019

The Azadi March, which began on Sunday from Karachi aiming to oust Prime Minister Imran Khan, is backed by all major opposition parties – including PML-N, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Awami National Party (ANP) among others – alleging him of coming into power through rigged elections.

Islamabad plan

The marchers are expected to arrive in Islamabad by October 31.

On Saturday, the JUI-F and government agreed that the protesters would gather at a ground in H-9 Sector but not enter the federal capital’s Red Zone.

A written agreement was signed between the Islamabad deputy commissioner and JUI-F, Islamabad General Secretary Mufti Mohammad Abdullah.

The opposition, in view of the verdicts of the apex and high courts, said it would ensure that the basic rights of public were not affected due to their protest.

The opposition parties would ensure that the protesters do not leave the designated venue. Besides, they would also be responsible for their internal security.