PTI rally ends with demands of ‘new Election Commision'

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Major anti-government protests by three political parties – the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI), Awami Muslim League (AML) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) conclude amid much saber-rattling between government and opposition.

In Islamabad, PTI and AML march down Jinnah Avenue onto D-Chowk, while PAT’s protest takes place in Rawalpindi.

PTI chief Imran Khan, during his speech at D-Chowk, demanded formation of a new fully independent Election Commission and vote verification in four constituencies his party has pointed out before.

An estimated crowd of around 25,000 came from around the country, particularly the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which Khan’s party governs as well as from the populous Punjab province to demonstrate in front of the Parliament.

Critics have accused the protest leaders of undermining the civilian government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at a time when relations with the all-powerful army, which has ruled the country for half of its history, are at a low.

Addressing the protestors, Khan lashed out at the government for its alleged role in rigging the 2013 parliamentary elections, disputing the outcome in four constituencies. He also called for the election commission to resign, and railed against power shortages and inflation.

“We demand the election commission to immediately resign because the nation has no confidence in them,” Khan said.

“The government has accused me of attempting to derail democracy, but how can it claim of democracy with a fake mandate?” he added, to roars of approval and applause.

Supporters meanwhile waved flags and chanted “Who will save Pakistan? Imran Khan, Imran Khan!” amid a charged atmosphere.

Both Khan and Qadri, meanwhile, have backed the military in its push to shut down Geo News TV channel, after it aired allegations accusing Pakistan’s main spy agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of attempting to assassinate Hamid Mir – a leading journalist and anchorperson.


Read: Another weekend, another PTI party | PTI’s perplexing protest | Looking for chinks in Imran’s May 11 show

PTI’s list of demands presented at D-Chowk rally

More photos from Twitter

PTI chief Imran Khan speaks to his supporters at D-Chowk in Islamabad on Sunday. – Photo by Irfan Haider
PTI chief Imran Khan speaks to his supporters at D-Chowk in Islamabad on Sunday. – Photo by Irfan Haider

PTI chief Imran Khan, during his speech at D-Chowk, demanded formation of a new fully independent Election Commission and vote verification in four constituencies his party has pointed out before.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan appreciated Hamid Mir’s efforts for freedom of speech in Pakistan. However, he criticised Geo TV and Jang group and its owner Mir Shakilur Rehman for allegedly playing a role in rigging the 2013 General Elections.

Imran Khan said authorities tried their best to stop today’s rally. He vowed to make a ‘new Pakistan.’

Photo shows thousands of workers and supporters gathered at D-Chowk in Islamabad for PTI’s protest rally against rigging in the May 2013 general elections.—Photo by Irfan Haider
Photo shows thousands of workers and supporters gathered at D-Chowk in Islamabad for PTI’s protest rally against rigging in the May 2013 general elections.—Photo by Irfan Haider
Photo shows the stage for protest rally at D-Chowk in Islamabad.—Photo by Irfan Haider
Photo shows the stage for protest rally at D-Chowk in Islamabad.—Photo by Irfan Haider
Awami Muslim League (AML) leader Sheikh Rasheed on stage addressing the crowd at the PTI protest rally at D-Chowk in Islamabad.—Photo from DawnNews TV grab
Awami Muslim League (AML) leader Sheikh Rasheed on stage addressing the crowd at the PTI protest rally at D-Chowk in Islamabad.—Photo from DawnNews TV grab

Our correspondent confirms that PTI chairman Imran Khan’s convoy has reached D-Chowk where thousands of supporters are present for the protest rally.

More photos from Twitter:

DawnNews reports that PTI chairman Imran Khan has left his residence at Bani Gala and is en route to D-Chowk for the protest rally.

Young PTI workers and supporters dance to the songs of Abrar ul-Haq and Ataullah Khan at D-Chowk in Islamabad.—Photo by Irfan Haider
Young PTI workers and supporters dance to the songs of Abrar ul-Haq and Ataullah Khan at D-Chowk in Islamabad.—Photo by Irfan Haider
PTI leader Arif Alvi tells our correspondent that the rally took time to start because the workers are still pouring in to D-Chowk for the protest.—Photo by Irfan Haider
PTI leader Arif Alvi tells our correspondent that the rally took time to start because the workers are still pouring in to D-Chowk for the protest.—Photo by Irfan Haider
24-year-old Shahbaz Khan from Lower Dir says he can trust Imran Khan in
Pakistan’s present political scenario. —Photo by Irfan Khan
24-year-old Shahbaz Khan from Lower Dir says he can trust Imran Khan in Pakistan’s present political scenario. —Photo by Irfan Khan
A 50-year-old woman, who has come to participate in the rally despite a broken leg, says she is hopeful that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) will take its mandate back through the protest today.—Photo by Irfan Haider
A 50-year-old woman, who has come to participate in the rally despite a broken leg, says she is hopeful that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) will take its mandate back through the protest today.—Photo by Irfan Haider

More photos from Twitter:

Photo shows Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) workers at the protest rally in Islamabad.—Photo by Irfan Haider
Photo shows Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) workers at the protest rally in Islamabad.—Photo by Irfan Haider

The “Tsunami” is yet to show up at D-Chowk.

A DawnNews correspondent says only about 3-4,000 people have reached the protest site so far.

Our correspondent in Islamabad says that most of the youth participating in the protest have traveled from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

“11 May is a black day in the history of Pakistan due to the rigging of the PML-N during the general elections of 2013,” says 35-year-old Aqib Khan from Peshawar.

Men have so far outnumbered women, and the number of female participants is still low. Almost all major roads of the federal capital have been covered with PTI banners.

“PTI is the real opposition in and out of the parliament while the government compelled the government to give the PTI mandate back,” says Bilal Bangash, a 27-year-old PTI supporter from Kohat.

Supporters pour in at D-Chowk for the protest against alleged rigging in the 2013 general elections.—Photo by Irfan Haider
Supporters pour in at D-Chowk for the protest against alleged rigging in the 2013 general elections.—Photo by Irfan Haider

The stage has been set for the rally.

Security personnel guarding the stage at D-Chowk — Photos by Irfan Haider
Security personnel guarding the stage at D-Chowk — Photos by Irfan Haider

The top Pakistan trend on Twitter is currently [#WeWantOurMandateBack][s676-5] - messages, viral shares and photos pour in condemning alleged rigging in the May 2013 elections.

[s676-5]: https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WeWantOurMandateBack&src=tren

Party workers from Faisalabad claim the local police have been creating hurdles for PTI supporters.

“The government has failed to fulfill its promises while we are here to bring change in the country,” says 25 years old Rizwan Cheema from Faisalabad.

“The government is privatising national assets while the PTI will never accept such moves of the government,” says Saba Jafar, a 20-year-old PTI supporter from Rawalpindi.

Our correspondent in Islamabad reports:

“The stage is ready near D-Chowk, where PTI workers are listening national songs. Security is on high alert in sector F-7 and G-7 in the federal capital. PTI KP president Azam Swati is expected to reach Islamabad around 3pm from Hazara division along with with hundreds of workers.“

PTI chairman Imran Khan terms likelihood of rain as a blessing in disguise.

Convoys of PTI workers and supporters on their way to Islamabad.

More photos of road blocks and obstructions allegedly set up by the PML-N begin circling on social media.

A convoy of over 100 vehicles has departed from Peshawar for the rally in Islamabad. Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pervaiz Khattak has also departed for the rally via helicopter.

A convoy from Chitral has reached Islamabad after a 12 hour journey. The Lahore convoy has reached Gujranwala with a steady stream of participants joining it.“We have broken through all road blocks and obstructions to get here…we are ready to die for Imran Khan” says one Lahore supporter.

The PTI’s Peshawar convoy has just begun its exit from the city, en route to Islamabad. PTI workers have begun to arrive in Islamabad from other parts of the country as well.People are looking to the sky in search of possible storm clouds.

The Rawalpindi stage is being prepared for the PAT rally, which should kick off around 4pm. At the moment there are few workers in the area. Police officials say the rally will not be obstructed.

Know where to park:

Lots of empty seats as rally participants are yet to arrive in large numbers.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif appears on TV - slams the protests taking place and recalls how poorly Tahirul Qadri’s protesters were treated, “left out in the cold”.

Some rally goers complain on social media of road blocks on the way to the protest.

Our correspondent in Peshawar says the convoys are yet to exit the city for Islamabad. Our correspondent in Lahore confirms participants for the Islamabad rally have left en masse. Participants from Faisalabad and Rawalpindi are also just beginning the journey over to ‘tsunami central’.

A worker offloads chairs from a delivery truck at D Chowk - preparations for the rally reach completion.

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