LAHORE: All eyes are on the federal capital as the PTI set out on its anti-government long march today which has been termed by party chairman as the “biggest freedom movement” in the country’s history.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has warned against any mob attacks, with Pakistan’s top court earlier rejecting the government’s plea for orders to immediately stop PTI’s long march to the federal capital.
Imran kicked off the protest march with an emotionally-charged speech , saying that the ‘Haqeeqi Azadi Long March’ was not for any personal or political interest to oust or to form government but to liberate the country from the thieves who had seized power to get their corruption cases waived.
This is the PTI chair’s second march towards Islamabad after he was ousted via a no-confidence motion earlier this year.
The political instability in Pakistan has also fuelled economic uncertainty, with international ratings agencies questioning if the current government can maintain difficult economic policies in the face of political pressure and looming elections.
Addressing supporters after reaching the Liberty Chowk, Imran said that the joint press conference by Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum joined Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) DG Lt Gen Babar Iftikhar yesterday was more “political than Sheikh Rasheed”.
“DG ISI, listen carefully, the things I know, I am staying silent for my institutions and the country. I don’t want to damage my country,” the PTI chief said.
The long march started from Liberty Chowk in Lahore and will pass through Ferozepur Road, Icchra, Azadi Chowk, Mozang, Data Darbar side, and Muridke. It will enter the federal capital after passing through Kamonki, Gujranwala, Daska, Sumbrial, Lala Musa, Khariyan, Gujjar Khan and Rawalpindi.