Emir Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Thursday announced that the party will begin 'Azadi March' on October 27. While addressing a press conference here, Rehman said, "The current government is the result of a fake election and fake results and we are determined to send it packing." He said that JUI-F isn't going to change the date, adding that they will also observe the day as a 'black day' in solidarity with Kashmiris.
The two major political parties, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and Pakistan Peoples Party after Rehman's announcement of Azadi March have welcomed the decision. On behalf of Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar in a statement welcomed the announcement of holding 'Azadi March' by Maulana Fazlur Rehman towards Islamabad on the 27th October. The PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb also welcomed the decision of the JUI-F leadership.
The JUI-F chief said that all opposition parties had rejected the July 25, 2018 elections and called for fresh elections. "In this regard, the JUI-F and Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal have carried out 15 'million marches' in the country to raise awareness among the people," he said.
The JUI-F chief said his party has three alternative plans to carry out the march in case the government attempts to create hurdles.
He demanded a fresh election in the country, ruling out any possibility of reconciliation with the government.
"We will come to the D-Chowk. We are not coming with an intention to leave early," he said, adding that he has no plans to change the date of the march. He said, "The country is facing economic crisis due to the faulty policies of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government."
Maulana Fazlur Rehman further said that JUI-F has invited all opposition parties to participate in the Azadi March. He assured that Azadi March will be peaceful as party doesn't want confrontation with institutions.
"As a result of this illegal government and its incompetence, the country's economy has sunk and traders have shut down businesses as a result of heavy taxation. The Muslims of Pakistan are anguish over the state of religion in the country," he continued.
He said that a meeting between JUI-F members was held that day in which it was decided that on October 27, the day celebrated by Kashmiris across the world as Black Day, his party will express complete solidarity with Kashmiris and with those demonstrations of solidarity, a march on Islamabad will begin.
"This will be an Azadi March. Groups of people from all over the country will embark on this journey which will culminate in Islamabad, where we will send the government packing," he claimed.
The JUI-F chief rejected the impression that he is "going solo" and said that the party is "in touch with all the other parties and making decisions in consultation with them".
"We met Bilawal Bhutto today and some very positive developments took place during our meeting. Yesterday you must have seen the PML-N delegation speaking and some positive developments took place then, as well."
When asked by reporters whether the PPP and PML-N will also participate in the sit-in alongside JUI-F or there will be only a march that day, Rehman responded by saying: "The entire country is showing up. The traders' community will be there. Doctors and lawyers are coming. We are in direct contact with people from all walks of life. I can speak for the readiness all these people have shown."
To a question regarding the one demand from which the party will not budge during the sit-in, Rehman stressed that the protest will continue "until the government steps down."
Rehman smilingly brushed aside a mention of Shaikh Rasheed's attempts to dissuade him from coming to Islamabad owing to a breakout of dengue in the city, saying, "We have no business with dengue." He then twisted the word to mockingly refer to the Prime Minister with whom "his only concern lies."
"We have no intention on making any changes and no one is asking us to change anything either," he declared. The JUI-F chief said the party will also work towards bringing in election reforms so a more transparent process is carried out for the "new elections."
According to Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, the spokesman for PPP chairman, it was agreed upon in principle between both leaders that PTI government's failure in addressing core issues confronting the nation have left the opposition with no choice but to take to streets.
Undermining the parliament, not allowing the assemblies and committees to function, failing to produce detained members of Parliament and continued rule through ordinance leave even the most democratic parties with no choice but to turn to the streets.
Both leaders were of the view that the PTI government's time in office has been marred with controversies, undermining of democracy, parliamentary norms and traditions.
The government's failure on all fronts including domestic and international, economic and foreign, has created serious crisis of governance in Pakistan, and opposition has to play its role keeping in line with national interest.
Bilawal has convened PPP core committee meeting next week in Islamabad to work out the extent to which and modalities of how PPP can support the march announced by JUI-F on 27th October.
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