JUI-F protestors camp in Islamabad to demand PM's resignation. PHOTO: AFP
"People have given their verdict… they want freedom from this government," the 66-year-old cleric said while addressing tens of thousands of opposition workers camping on a sprawling ground in Sector H-9 on Friday.
Thousands of JUI-F workers descended on the capital late Thursday night after their five-day marathon journey – dubbed ‘Azadi (Freedom) march’ -- which set off from Karachi on October 27.
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Travelling in buses and cars, and on motorcycles the main caravan of JUI-F workers, led by Maulana Fazlur Rehman, had brief stopovers at different towns and cities en route to the capital.
The convoy reached the capital on Oct 31 and camped on the vast ground in Sector H-9 designated for the protest where they were joined by thousands of workers of other opposition parties – including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the Awami National Party (ANP) and the Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP).
The two opposition parties – the PPP and the PML-N – have thrown their weight behind the Maulana because their leaders are in jail facing corruption charges which they claim are politically motivated and part of Premier Imran's vendetta.
'State institutions’
"We want the state institutions to be impartial and withdraw their support from this illegitimate government," the cleric said, adding that they did not want a confrontation with the institutions.
Having said that, the cleric dropped a veiled threat, saying that if the institutions tried to protect the “illegitimate government” after the expiration of the two-day deadline, then they would be free to “form an opinion about the institutions”.
He did not name any institution, but the opposition parties believe the Imran Khan government has the backing of the powerful security establishment.
The cleric said the PTI government has no right to stay in power as it had come to power through “systematic rigging” in the 2018 general elections. “We reject the results of the rigged elections. This prime minister should resign," he said to thunderous applause from the crowd.
‘Economy destroyed'
The JUI-F chief picked holes in the government's economic policies, saying that the "incompetence" of the PTI administration had destroyed the economy. "People are committing suicide. They are forced to sell their children … we won't let the government to further destroy the country," he said.
"They promised five million houses and 10 million jobs [before coming to power], but only State Bank's governor and FBR's chairman came to Pakistan for jobs – and they too were sent by the IMF [International Monetary Fund]," he said.
In pictures: Azadi March rallies into federal capital
He was referring to speculation that SBP Governor Reza Baqir and FBR Chairman Shabbar Zaidi have been appointed at the behest of the IMF, which has given Pakistan a $6 billion bailout package.
"We refuse to accept the Western economic system. We want the Islamic economic system in this country," the cleric said.
The cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, who came to power based on his massive fan-following, appears to have lost some of his personality charisma, due to the rising prices of food and daily-use items.
'Kashmir cause'
The JUI-F chief has been accused by the government of taking the global spotlight off Indian Occupied Kashmir by staging his rally. The cleric, however, told his supporters that the PTI government was to blame for damaging the Kashmir cause.
"We will fight for the rights of Kashmiris," he said. "On the one hand our relations with India are strained due to the Kashmir siege, while on the other we are opening Kartarpur corridor for Sikh pilgrims."
'Brainless leader'
Top opposition leaders – including PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, PkMAP chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai and ANP's Asfandyar Wali – turned up to share the stage with the JUI-F leadership.
Speaking on the occasion, Shehbaz came down hard on the PTI government for its "anti-poor policies" and "arrogant attitude" of PM Imran.
The PML-N president, whose family has suffered the most due to the government's accountability drive, denounced Imran as a "brainless" leader who "relies on sorcery and supernatural guidance" for key policy decisions.
"This protest will sweep away Imran Khan and his government," Shehbaz said while referring to the 'Azadi march'.
"If God gives us another opportunity, we will put up a united front and fix Pakistan's economy," he said. "Imran Khan has full support of all institutions. If we had only 10% of this support, we would have taken Pakistan on a Sputnik-like flight."
‘Taste of his own medicine'
The prime minister has questioned the justification of the 'Azadi march', while defending his party's marathon dharna in Islamabad in 2014.
The PML-N president said Imran was having a taste of own medicine. He reminded the premier that the PTI had set a precedent for such protests.
"This sea of humans has made it clear that now is the time for change. We will rebuild Pakistan once again under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif and our economy will be back on its feet within six months," said Shehbaz.
'Time is up
The scion of the Bhutto dynasty, who also shared the stage with the opposition leaders, said the power-show is a loud and clear message for Premier Imran that his time is up now.
"This is a selected government and its policies have proven that public welfare has never been a consideration for them. The people of Pakistan have never and will never accept this government," said Bilawal, whose father, aunt and key leaders of his party are also facing corruption cases.
Bilawal heaped criticism on the government for its “flawed economic policies which had made life difficult for the common man”.
"Our country's economy is dependent on outside influences," he said while citing the "PTI-IMF budget" as an example.
Questioning the legitimacy of the present democratic set-up, Bilawal said the people of Pakistan favoured the constitutional and democratic system of the past.
The PPP leader also lashed out at the alleged media blackout of 'Azadi March' and vowed that his party would support all democratic efforts for the removal of the "puppet prime minister".
First concerted challenge
The 'Azadi march' is said to be the first concerted opposition challenge that Premier Imran has faced since he won the election last year.
He had promised to break the country away from its legacy of corruption and pull 100 million people out of poverty. But his government, like many of its predecessors, was forced to turn to the IMF for a bailout in July.
Inflation is squeezing household budgets and traders this week protested against new tax measures.
Premier Imran has dismissed the opposition calls for him to step down and the government has warned it will not tolerate chaos on the streets.
Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has urged the prime minister to handle the protest peacefully and avoid violence by both sides, a military spokesman said.
Capital sealed off
Security is tight in Islamabad with the government and diplomatic sector – just a few miles from the rally site – sealed off, roads blocked by barriers of shipping containers.
Schools are closed, public transport suspended and internet services interrupted in some areas, a service provider said.
The government had beefed up security ahead of the marchers' arrival in Islamabad, deploying police and Rangers in Red Zone as well as Faizabad Interchange, Kashmir Highway and other locations.
The government has deployed 6,000 personnel of police and Rangers for the security of the protest venue in the H-9 area of Islamabad.
Police sources said the law enforcement personnel deployed at the venue had been strictly directed to behave politely with the marchers.
However, they have also been told to take strict action if the participants of the march tried to travel to other areas of the city.
(With additional input from Agencies)
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