ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has welcomed Dr Tahirul Qadri and his supporters to join the anti-government march planned for August 14, a press release issued by PTI said.

According to the press release, Khan said that PTI has already asked all democratic forces to join the movement for strengthening democracy and getting rid of the current government.

Khan reiterated that PTI's Azadi march is peaceful and within the Constitution. He also said PTI would never support any extra-constitutional measure and would hold the government responsible for any derailment of democracy.

The party’s deputy secretary general and Imran Khan’s media advisor Imran Ismail told Dawn by telephone that any party that wants to join the march was welcome.

He added that Qadri’s announcement on Sunday, that his revolution march would take place on Independence Day, was not “pre-arranged” with the PTI.

When asked if the PTI fears its march will turn violent with aggressive Pakistan Awami Tehreek workers joining their ranks, Ismail said, “We are peaceful. We do not want violence.”

“We may have a different agenda and difference of opinion but we have invited different parties and welcome those who wish to join us.”

Additionally, PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on local TV that given the government's heavy handedness today, the PAT's decision to march makes sense, and the PTI welcomes it.

"PML-N pre-empted Qadri, Imran nexus"

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Irfan Siddiqui speaking on a local news channel said the government was "well aware" that the PTI and PAT would be arriving in Islamabad together.

"This has been known for several days, it is only new news for the media. We are aware both are together in this," he said.