The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) led anti-government 'Azadi March' has officially kicked-off from Karachi on Sunday.
Headed by JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the caravan left the city towards its protest destination Islamabad after the workers and supporters of opposition parties including PPP, ANP and PML-N converged at Sohrab Goth from all six districts of the metropolis.
As JUI-F chief arrived at the rally the protesters holding party flags began chanting slogans of 'Kashmir banyan ga Pakistan' [Kashmir will become Pakistan].
While addressing the crowd, Fazl extended his gratitude to the opposition parties and their workers for the support and participation in the Azadi March.
He condemned Indian atrocities on Kashmiri Muslims and said that Pakistani nation will never remain silent over Indian brutalities in Kashmir.
He also urged the international community particularly OIC to play their due role to stop Modi regime from suppressing the poor Kashmiris who have been trapped in curfew in the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) for the last three months.
He said this day in 1947, Indian army had entered in Kashmir and occupied the valley. Fazl paid tribute to 'Mujahedeen' who have been fighting for their rights courageously. He said the Azad Kashmir would become a base camp for the freedom of IOK.
The JUI-F chief said a mediation team from the government side came to meet him to seek NRO, however, he said, he rejected it. "We have clearly reiterated our demand that Prime Minister Imran Khan has to step down at any cost," he added.
He alleged that the incumbent PM has been chosen through rigging in election. "Neither we recognise July 25, 2018 elections, nor it's results," Fazl said, adding he respects the Judiciary and its orders.
Besides deployment of police by the government, JUI-F's Ansarul Islam (Salaar Force) was also seen controlling traffic and crowd on the Super Highway.
Meanwhile a video circulating on social media shows JUI-F chief's special container got stuck on an overhead bridge at the Karachi-Hyderabad motorway.
Earlier, JUI-F issued a 32-point code of conduct to the participants of March, which includes arrangements of busses, offering special prayers, following the instructions of party, avoiding carrying any arms and sharp metals like knife.
The caravan, according to Fazl would reach the federal capital on October 31.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019