Islamabad braces for back-to-back political power shows

PTI workers start arriving in capital, JUI-F, PML-N supporters set off anti-inflation march

ISLAMABAD:

The federal capital is braced for two back-to-back rallies from harsh political rivals on Sunday (today) and Monday (tomorrow), increasing the already feverish political temperature in the country in the wake of the no-confidence motion filed against Prime Minister Imran Khan by the joint opposition.

Charged workers from either side of the divide in far-off areas had already started their journey towards Islamabad in the shape of caravans, chanting slogans in favour of their respective parties and leaders and carrying placards and flags to show their political loyalties.

The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Isnaf (PTI) would hold a “historic” power show in Islamabad on Sunday (today), Prime Minister Imran Khan had announced. Similarly, the opposition Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) planned to rally in the capital on Monday (tomorrow).

Workers from the PTI, as well as the constituent parties of the PDM – the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) – had set off for Islamabad and were on their way, according to the spokespersons and leaders in the two rival camps.

The PTI rally at Parade Ground, Islamabad, would be held under the theme ‘Amr Bil Maroof’, Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood said. “The public meeting will be the largest in the history of the country and have a great impact,” he told reporters at the venue.

“A few PTI caravans have reached the venue, while others are on their way from across the country to participate in the historic public meeting,” PTI leader Senator Faisal Javed Khan said. They said that the rally would repose confidence in the leadership of Imran Khan.

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The party leaders said that the PTI workers would reach Islamabad at 3pm from all over the country. “Prime Minister Imran Khan will address the historic public gathering to expose the corrupt disgruntled politicians dancing to the tune of foreign powers,” the senator said.

Talking to the media along with Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and Maritime Affairs Minister Ali Zaidi at Bani Gala, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that more than one million people would attend the public meeting. "This will be the largest gathering in the history of Pakistan," he added.

Earlier, a PTI Sindh caravan, led by Opposition Leader in the Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh reached Islamabad. The PTI workers warmly welcomed the caravan at the parade ground. The caravan had started its journey from Karachi on Friday.

Meanwhile, on the request of the PTI, the Pakistan Railways would run two special trains – AC Business Class and Economy Class – between Lahore and Islamabad to transport the party workers. The trains would reach Margalla railway station on Sunday.

Similarly, the JUI-F supporters set off from various cities on Saturday. Party spokesperson Aslam Ghauri said that Maulana Fazlur Rehman would leave for Islamabad later in the day, adding that Maulana Ataur Rehman and Maulana Ataul Haq Darwish would lead another caravan from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

According to the spokesperson, a caravan from Sindh, led by Rashid Mahmood Soomro, had reached Faisalabad, while the caravan from Balochistan, led by Maulana Sarwar Nadeem and Agha Fazlur Rehman Shah, had reached Zhob.

He added that the caravans from Punjab would be led by Dr Atiqur Rehman and Maulana Safiullah, while Maulana Ataullah Shehab would lead supporters from Gilgit-Baltistan and Maulana Saeed Yousuf and Maulana Imtiaz Abbasi would lead the caravans from Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

“All the caravans will gather at Hakla Interchange. All caravans will enter Islamabad under the leadership of Maulana Fazlur Rehman,” the spokesperson added. “The JUI-F workers are waiting for Maulana Fazlur Rehman at the interchange.”

According to reports, Fazl reached the Hakla Interchange. Long lines of vehicles had reached there even before the arrival of Fazl. Ansarul Islam workers were also present in the caravan. Workers have blocked traffic from Peshawar at Hukla Toll Plaza.

On the occasion, Fazl said that the government’s days were numbered, adding that the success of the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran would herald a new beginning in the country’s politics. “The most important thing is to save the country and that day is not far off.”

Also, PML-N vice presidents Maryam Nawaz and Hamza Shehbaz were leading their party’s long march from Lahore. The caravan set off from the Model Town, where several party leaders joined them on the container they were travelling in.

Those participating in the anti-inflation march included Marriyum Aurangzeb, Muhammad Zubair, Bushra Anjum Butt, Saba Sadiq, Saif Khokhar and Faisal Khokhar. The marchers would reach Islamabad on Monday.