Azadi March: Imran expected to reach Islamabad soon, PTI asks supporters to take to the streets
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Splash
    • Videos
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Saturday
July 02, 2022

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Splash
    • Videos
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
SATURDAY, JULY 02, 2022
Azadi March: Imran expected to reach Islamabad soon, PTI asks supporters to take to the streets

South Asia

TBS Report
25 May, 2022, 09:40 pm
Last modified: 25 May, 2022, 09:55 pm

Related News

  • Inflation in Pakistan rises to whopping 21.3pc in June, highest in over 13 years
  • Pakistan finance ministry sees more tough times ahead
  • Taliban smuggling weapons to Pakistan
  • No option without importing expensive fuel to meet power crisis: Pak authority
  • Pakistan foreign minister calls for easing sanctions on Afghanistan

Azadi March: Imran expected to reach Islamabad soon, PTI asks supporters to take to the streets

Clashes take place in Karachi and Islamabad; Khan says govt cannot deter march; SC directs govt to provide space to PTI for rally

TBS Report
25 May, 2022, 09:40 pm
Last modified: 25 May, 2022, 09:55 pm
Imran Khan waves to supporters on a truck. —PTI/Twitter
Imran Khan waves to supporters on a truck. —PTI/Twitter

Highlights:

  • Imran Khan's convoy enters Punjab after removing barriers at Attock bridge
  • PTI activists clash with police; Ali Asjad Malhi, Jamshed Cheema among arrested
  • Dr Yasmin Rashid's vehicle comes under attack; windshield smashed at Lahore's Bati Chowk
  • Dr Rashid and Andaleeb Abbas briefly detained afterwards
  • Activists force their way through roadblocks in Lahore
  • PTI south KP convoy led by Ali Amin Gandapur enters Punjab
  • Shelling at Attock as protesters try to remove shipping containers with a crane
  • PTI says several cavalcades from various Punjab localities en route to Islamabad
  • Imran and govt rubbish talk of a deal

As Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan's party began their planned Azadi March, Imran Khan's  main convoy from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa entered Punjab Wednesday evening after tension gripped parts of the country, as police clashed with PTI workers as authorities tried to block them from proceedings towards the capital — the sit-in venue.

Khan is heading to Islamabad with a large caravan to demand the removal of the government and an immediate national election. He vows to hold the "biggest march" in the political history of Pakistan if the government does not agree to his demands, reports DAWN.

In a video message tweeted by the PTI, Imran asked "all Pakistanis" to take to the streets in their respective cities and said people heading to Islamabad must reach D-Chowk.

"I will make it there in a couple of hours." He also appealed to women and children to come out of their homes for "real independence". Imran said it was "good news" that the Supreme Court had decided that no one would be arrested during the march

"Your collective presence will send a message across Pakistan that the nation has rejected this imported government."

These developments came a day after PTI chairman Imran Khan exhorted his supporters yesterday to embark on their march for "true freedom" towards Islamabad after the government said it would not allow the march. In response, Imran called on the youth to remove the obstacles themselves.

Imran Khan had earlier arrived at the Wali Interchange in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by helicopter. Footage of Imran arriving at the interchange showed PTI activists converging on the chopper.

Later, Imran departed for Islamabad from the Wali Interchange in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Afterwards, PTI tweeted a photo of Imran waving to supporters from a truck adorned with PTI colours.

Imran also urged protesters to carry the Pakistani flag, calling today's march a "defining moment" for Pakistan.

Meanwhile, internet disruptions were reported across Pakistan in the evening.

'No blockade can stop us'

After reaching Swabi, Imran, holding a Pakistan flag, delivered a speech to supporters. In it, he said that "we are going to D-Chowk and no one can stop us" as the crowd cheered.

Calling the incumbent government a "group of thieves", he termed them the most corrupt people in the country of history and said that they were afraid of the people which is why they had placed containers.

He said that protesters were being detained and harassed as they participated in the Azadi March. Addressing politicians of the ruling coalition, Imran said that the PTI government did not bar any of them from staging protests as they "did not fear the people".

He asserted that the government was afraid as they had been plundering national wealth for the past 30 years. "I want to give the people a message from Swabi Interchange: whatever you do, we will cross all obstacles and reach D-Chowk. Our protest will be peaceful as it has always been."

Meanwhile, other party leaders departed from their respective locations, with Hammad Azhar, Yasmin Rashid and some others from Lahore, while Shahid Khattak departed from Karak. PTI's Fayyazul Hasan Chohan could be seen on television footage departing for Islamabad on a motorcycle.

The PTI later tweeted that the party's south KP's convoy led by Ali Amin Gandapur was "well on its way" towards Islamabad after the blockades faced at the Punjab-KP border were "crossed successfully".

As the events unfold and PTI activists defy Section 144 — a measure which is frequently used to prevent gatherings — Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah is set to address a news conference. A day earlier Section 144 was invoked in Islamabad, Punjab and Sindh.

Alternative site for protest

The Supreme Court directed the Islamabad chief commissioner on Wednesday to provide an alternate site to the PTI to hold its Azadi March by 2:30pm and create a traffic plan for protesters so they could reach it.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Ahsan, and comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, issued the directives while hearing the petition filed by Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) President Mohammad Shoaib Shaheen a day earlier, seeking the removal of blockades in the capital ahead of the PTI's march.

"Let them protest and then go home," Justice Ahsan said. "We expect the government to remove barricades."

The court directed the interior secretary and police to review their policies on road closures.

Justice Ahsan said the court would also seek assurances from the PTI that the protest would be peaceful, property would not be damaged and there would be no torture or violence.

Jamshed Cheema held in Lahore; police try to nab Hammad Azhar

DawnNewsTV reported that police attempted to arrest Hammad Azhar in Lahore. Footage showed scuffles between supporters and police as they tried to arrest Azhar, who could be seen wearing a red cap in footage broadcast on TV.

After 1:50pm, the police resumed shelling and fired tear gas near the Aiwan-e-Adal. Four lawyers have also been arrested, while 10 to 12 cars were reportedly damaged.

Dawn.com was able to confirm that another PTI leader, Jamshed Iqbal Cheema. was arrested in Lahore and was moved to an undisclosed location. In a brief video message, he said they were living in a country of 220 million people and all of them would exercise their "democratic rights".

Earlier, footage emerged of police personnel charging at marchers at Lahore's Bati chowk. Ten people were arrested after clashes.

Dawn.com has seen footage depicting clashes and scuffles between the protesters and the policemen as activists converged in the area to begin their march on Islamabad. The videos showed policemen stopping PTI supporters from moving forward and making use of tear gas.

According to PTI's official Twitter account, the marchers were also stopped at the Shahdara area.

In a later tweet, the party said the shipping container placed in Shahadara had been removed.

At the Niazi Chowk too, PTI workers removed impediments and marched forward.

Meanwhile, another PTI caravan led by Hammad Azhar managed to get across the obstacles and crossed Lahore. He is now on GT Road on his way to Islamabad.

From Lahore, Azhar said, the impediments and containers on Bati Chowk, Ravi Bridge and Shahdra have been removed and the roads have been cleared by "the public".

Later, Azhar's said Kala Shah Kaku, some 11km north of Ravi Bridge, was under "heavy shelling".

Azhar's rally has reached Muridke, meanwhile the caravan led by Shafqat Mahmood is yet to cross the Bati chowk.

In Lahore, the police also baton-charged the protesters near the Aiwan-e-Adal. The marchers were, however, later dispersed. Clashes between the police and protesters were also reported in other areas of Lahore such as Islampura, Karim Park, Mohni road and Badami Bagh.

Arms recovered

Meanwhile, police said that they have recovered heavy ammunition from the residences of PTI leaders Bijash Niazi and Zubair Niazi.

DIG Operations Sohail CHauhdry in a press conference shared that the raids were conducted at Nawan Kot and Multan Road areas from where three persons were arrested, however, Zuair Niazi flee from the scene.

Giving details of the arms recovered, the police officer said that six 223 bore guns, 13 rifles, 96 SMG rifles and 26 magazines of pistols.

Niazi was later arrested during clashes with police when he was going towards Batti Chowk along with former health minister Dr Yasmin Rashid. However, PTI workers managed to free him from police custody.

In a statement, Interior Minister Rana Sanullah said that the presence of ammunition at the residence of PTI Lahore's general secretary is evidence that Imran Niazi is not doing politics, he has resorted to terrorism.

The minister asked the PTI chairman to cancel the bloody march and follow the Constitution and law. He also urged Imran Khan to remain peaceful and not use the resources and machinery of the Pakhtunkhwa government for his interests.

"This is not a peaceful political caravan but an armed invasion. We will not allow those who laid landmines and destroyed the economy. The law will be strictly enforced, whoever takes the law into his own hands will be caught."

Top News / World+Biz

Imran Khan / Azadi march / Pakistan

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • In rain, heat, filth – they fight against cancer
    In rain, heat, filth – they fight against cancer
  • Tejgaon Industrial Area has become an illegal parking lot for all kinds of vehicles, from buses to trucks to rickshaws. Photo: Mumit M
    Rickshaw garages and truck stands: How Tejgaon Industrial Area turned into a mess
  • Representational Image. Photo: Collected
    Section 144 imposed in Fulgazi after AL-BNP clash over relief activities 

MOST VIEWED

  •  Mohammed Zubair, the co-founder of fact-checking website Alt News.
    Detained Indian journalist Zubair moves bail plea, cops seek judicial custody
  • A sack containing discarded plastic bottles is seen at a recycling yard in New Delhi, India on 22 November 2018. Photo: Reuters
    India bans single-use plastic to combat pollution
  • BJP leader Nupur Sharma. Photo: Collected
    Prophet row: Comments taken out of context, says Nupur Sharma in statement to cops
  • A man counts Pakistani banknotes along a roadside in Islamabad, Pakistan, November 16, 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Mahmood
    Indian rupee hits record lows despite cenbank intervention
  • A vehicle is seen refueled with petrol at a fuel station in Mumbai June 25, 2010. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui/Files
    India imposes restrictions on exports of fuel
  • People attend a protest after the killing of a Hindu man in Udaipur, Rajasthan state, India, June 30, 2022. REUTERS/Stringer
    How an 'inflammatory' Facebook post led to a killing and sectarian tension in India

Related News

  • Inflation in Pakistan rises to whopping 21.3pc in June, highest in over 13 years
  • Pakistan finance ministry sees more tough times ahead
  • Taliban smuggling weapons to Pakistan
  • No option without importing expensive fuel to meet power crisis: Pak authority
  • Pakistan foreign minister calls for easing sanctions on Afghanistan

Features

The eye-catching commuter: Suzuki Gixxer SF 155

The eye-catching commuter: Suzuki Gixxer SF 155

1h | Wheels
Photo: Collected

Sapiens – A Graphic History 

23h | Book Review
Black-naped Monarch male  Photo: Enam Ul Haque

Black-naped Monarch: A sovereign who never abandoned the Indian subcontinent

1d | Panorama
The 136-year-old company on its last legs

The 136-year-old company on its last legs

1d | Features

More Videos from TBS

Dhaka University celebrating 102nd founding anniversary today

Dhaka University celebrating 102nd founding anniversary today

23h | Videos
Ctg Int'l Trade Fair returns after a 2-year hiatus without Covid restrictions

Ctg Int'l Trade Fair returns after a 2-year hiatus without Covid restrictions

23h | Videos
Bangladeshis among top 6 nationalities seeking asylum in Europe

Bangladeshis among top 6 nationalities seeking asylum in Europe

1d | Videos
RUET organises Robotronics 2.0

RUET organises Robotronics 2.0

1d | Videos

Most Read

1
Padma Bridge from satellite. Photo: Screengrab
Bangladesh

Padma Bridge from satellite 

2
Meet the man behind 'Azke amar mon balo nei'
Splash

Meet the man behind 'Azke amar mon balo nei'

3
Photo: TBS
Bangladesh

Motorcycles banned on Padma Bridge 

4
Photo: Collected
Economy

Tech startup ShopUp bags $65m in Series B4 funding

5
World Bank to give Bangladesh $18b IDA loans in next five years
Economy

World Bank to give Bangladesh $18b IDA loans in next five years

6
Investor Hiru fined Tk2cr for market manipulation
Stocks

Investor Hiru fined Tk2cr for market manipulation

EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2022
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab
BENEATH THE SURFACE
The Dazzling Fake Flowers: Is there any alternative to artificial flowers while decorating homes, showrooms, offices and business establishments? Fresh flowers are undoubtedly beautiful, but they dry out quickly. Hence, the demand for plastic flowers is rising day by day. Traders said these lifelike silk flowers usually come from China and Thailand. The photo was taken from the 29th International Trade Fair of the Chattogram Chamber on Friday. PHOTO: Mohammad Minhaj Uddin

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net