Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Emir Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Saturday said the opposition is actively considering the option to march towards D-Chowk if Prime Minister Imran Khan does not accept opposition's demand to step down.
"Yesterday (Friday), we gave a two-day deadline to the PM to resign. Today is its first day. We will make a decision about our future course of action after tomorrow. The option to march towards D-Chowk is very much on the cards and it is discussed by the Rahbar Committee," Fazl said while addressing his supporters at the protest site of 'Azadi March' in Islamabad.
He said that the Rahbar Committee in its Saturday's meeting decided that all the nine opposition parties that are part of the Rahbar Committee would stay united till the end of their struggle. "We are one on the issue of resignation of the PM," Fazl said.
He asked his supporters to follow whatever decision is taken by the Rahbar Committee against the government. The JUI-F chief claimed that 'Azadi March' has received 'objectives' never attained by any political party in Pakistan.
Impliedly responding to the criticism that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Hind was against the creation of Pakistan, Fazl said, "You live in 1947 and we have moved on. You are still living in the history."
Fazl warned the Islamabad district administration "not to create hurdles for protesters. Otherwise, the participants of this Azadi March are enough for Islamabad and your government," he said.
Regarding the JUI-F's written agreement with the federal government that allowed Fazl's party to hold its protest at sector H-9, the JUI-F chief said the opposition is still following the agreement. "But Islamabad's administration has taken certain steps that are tantamount to breaching the agreement. So far, it's only us who are following the agreement unilaterally. But don't push us a bit too far or else, you would bear the brunt," he warned.
In the backdrop of strong criticism on JUI-F that women have been denied participation in the 'Azadi March', the Maulana said, "Our ladies are at home, praying for us." The JUI-F has active representation of female lawmakers and members from minority communities in the parliament and provincial assemblies," he added. 'We are not narrow-minded like you people. We had Hindus representing JUI-F in the governments. Even now, we have representation of Hindus and other minorities in the legislative houses."
Fazl attempted to detach himself from the incident involving a youth hoisting the flag of Afghan Taliban in the 'Azadi March', terming it government's propaganda against the JUI-F. "By the way, these are same Taliban who were given presidential protocol when they arrived in Pakistan and when they went to the United States for talks."
Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Imran Khan, Fazl said, "Narendra Modi is very happy that Imran Khan is Pakistan's Prime Minister because he has traded Kashmir with India."
Fazl held the PM responsible for massive inflation and depreciation of Pakistani rupee against dollar.
Pakistan's relations with friendly states including China deteriorated due to the poor foreign policy of the PM and his government, he claimed.
Addressing the protestors, JUI-F General Secretary Abdul Ghafoor Haideri questioned the impartiality of state institutions while expressing surprise that military authorities are commenting on political matters. "We talk to politicians and military spokesperson responds. This really puts serious questions on the impartiality of the state institutions," he said.
The JUI-F leadership witnessed embarrassment when JUI-F leader Atta-ul-Haq Darvaish, during his speech at 'Azadi March', repeatedly chanted 'go Nawaz go' slogans. Later, the organizers of the 'Azadi March' clarified that the JUI-F leader's anti-Nawaz slogans were actually a 'slip of tongue' but the damage had already been done and the related news was flashed by television channels.
Unlike Friday, the major opposition parties including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP), did not register any significant participation at the JUI-F sit-in site on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Secretary Interior Azam Suleiman, during a meeting, said that strict action will be taken against the participants of JUI-F 'Azadi March' if they violated the agreement signed with the district administration. The meeting reviewed security arrangements made in the wake of Azadi March and also directed high-ups of police to take all possible measures to ensure strict security in the city.
A senior official said the meeting was attended by the chief commissioner, deputy commissioner, inspector general of police (IGP), and representatives of Pakistan Army, Rangers and other law enforcement agencies. The IGP briefed the meeting in detail about the current law and order in the city.
The source said that meeting also directed officials concerned to devise a strategy to solve the problems faced by citizens due to JUI-F sit-in. "Secretary interior asked district administration to ensure implementation of agreement signed with the organizers of 'Azadi March'", they said, adding that participants should be informed by the 'Azadi March' organizers to remain inside the venue of the sit-in as per the agreement.
He said the participants should also be informed that as per the agreement, entry into the Red Zone is prohibited and strict action will be taken against those who would try to enter the Red Zone.
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