Ides of marches: PTI, PAT take out ‘warm up’ rallies

RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi witnessed a flurry of political activity on Thursday as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) leaders took out rallies in different parts of the city as a ‘warm-up exercise’ ahead of the arrival of their ‘Azadi and Inqilab Marches’ coming from Lahore. Three separate rallies were taken out on College Road, Lal Haveli and Saddar Cantt by supporters of the two political parties. The rallies were led by PTI MPA Ijaz Khan Jazi and Rashid Shafique, a nephew of Sheikh Rasheed. A majority of protesters were youngsters sweating it out as they anxiously awaited the arrival of marchers from the provincial capital.  “I believe, tomorrow will be a historic day as people want a new Pakistan,” said Ali Hassan, a PTI worker. PTI’s local leaders from Rawalpindi were seen mobilising their supporters for the ‘Azadi march’.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2014.