Haq fails to convince Imran Khan to abandon Azadi March

E-Paper | June 14, 2026

LAHORE: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq failed to convince Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan to abandon his Azadi March, DawnNews reported.

Talking to the media after holding a meeting with Khan at his Lahore residence, Haq said the PTI leader’s reservations could not be removed.

Haq further said that Khan has assured him that he will not take any unconstitutional or illegal steps. Haq further stressed the government must not take any steps that will lead towards martial law.

“There was rigging in the elections and Imran Khan has ample proof. The Election Commission of Pakistan and Justice (retd) Fakhuruddin G Ibrhaim failed to carry out their responsibilities,” the JI ameer said.

He further clarified that he wasn’t a messenger from the government’s side.

“The country is passing through a difficult time and all parties must work together to get out of this situation,” Haq said.

He went on to add: “Long march and short march are the right of all parties. The government must not create any hurdles.”

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

PTI Long March

Pakistan

Forman Christian College University, activists protest ‘forcible takeover’ of Ewing Hall, fear demolition

Textile sees budget ‘balanced’; poultry, plastic sectors, trade unions raise concerns

35 acres of Bahawalpur's Lal Sohanra National Park gutted by fire

Asif Naeem Bhatti

Aug 11, 2014 07:40pm

Wazeer ay Azam - IMRAN KHAN.

Recommend 0

Iqbal bhai

Aug 11, 2014 07:47pm

I remember Mr. Siraj-ul-Haq saying some days ago: "Nawaz and Zardari are American servants trying to out-run each other". If so, why he does not support Mr. Khan in protesting against the government?

Recommend 0

Khalid

Aug 11, 2014 08:13pm

Look at his picture. Does he appear to be a mediator?. Have a listen to his speeches and determine if he can be a mediator?. Imran would be much better to keep away from this party. This is a party that opposed the creation of Pakistan as well as supported arming of the students.

Recommend 0

Malveros

Aug 11, 2014 08:53pm

Imran Khan has turned out to be a big flop.

Recommend 0

Qamar

Aug 11, 2014 09:18pm

JI made a lot of noises about poll rigging in Karachi by MQM. This is the moment of truth. JI should decide whether it was just empty rhetoric or they actually meant what they had said. If they really meant what they have been saying, then they should not be mediator but part of IK's protest against rigged elections.

Recommend 0

Jehan Zeb

Aug 11, 2014 09:26pm

IK is a disappointment. The greed for gov is not understood. he should concentrate on Pukhtunkhwa gov and be a model for the 2018 elections. However, he does not want to play the match by rules and is throwing so many bouncers instead of those allowed.

Recommend 0

raja

Aug 11, 2014 10:27pm

@Asif Naeem Bhatti for now "Wazeer ay Azam - IMRAN KHAN." can only happen if get 100 people killed and army comes in... and i think IK is willing to sacrifice poor people while his sons are watching games at Lords .

Recommend 0

Masoud

Aug 12, 2014 12:36am

May be negotiating future ministry. One who agrees to give more will have JI's support.

Recommend 0

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Aug 12, 2014 12:58am

Good effort which eventually proved to be an attempt in futile.

Recommend 0

Naeem Qureshi

Aug 12, 2014 01:30am

IK has a big ego. He is bent on destroying Pakistan. He wants to be PM regardless of the cost and consequenes.

Recommend 0

Imran Baig

Aug 12, 2014 01:46am

Imran Khan is a u turn khan. He should know that actions speak louder than words. Has miserably failed in KPK and does not have team to deliver.

Recommend 0

Raaz

Aug 12, 2014 01:55am

Haven't heard from our BIG MOUTH Railway Minister about everything else except Railways progress.

Recommend 0

Fawad

Aug 12, 2014 02:24am

@Jehan Zeb .. God help Pakistan if many share the same view as you. IK should play the match with the rules??? What good is a match that is fixed or rigged. Imran Khan is not after the iron throne.. His march is for fair reelection. Lets try playing the match with some sort of rules instead of going against corrupt umpires. Have we not had enough of these corrupt leaders? Time to get our head out of dark smelly place and look towards a brighter Pakistan.

Recommend 0

Irshad Khan

Aug 12, 2014 02:27am

@raja, you really like to live in a country with a Nawaz Sharif type regime where you cannot even register an F.I.R for the killing of your brother son or daughter, where you do not have any rights, you can only get a job if you are a darbari of Nawaz sharif or some influential person. . I think Imran Khan is a blessing who will lead Pakistan to a revolution, Insha-Allah.

Recommend 0

Aziz

Aug 12, 2014 02:29am

I am keen to hear what IK has to say on the 14th. He says he will complete his message only on the day. After the 14th I will decide whether I can trust IK to carry the burden of nation building in these turbulent times. I hope our third time PM does not attempt to throttle the message. He and his cohorts should not succumb to their urge as they say "Hum tou dobay hain sanam tum ko bhi lay dobain-gay" ( If I sink then then I will make sure that you sink with me as well).

Recommend 0

Aug 12, 2014 02:54am

Nawaz can win elections again, may be not out right majority, but he can make a government with PPP where Zardari is our new president. Even MQM and ANP will support them. Imran will get nothing until he makes relations with other parties.

Recommend 0

Arif Aslam Khan

Aug 12, 2014 03:02am

JI will join the Azadi March on 13th August if not on 12th!

Recommend 0

Jaj

Aug 12, 2014 03:18am

Sirajul Haq has no weight to influence Nawaz or Imran. He has simply made his and party's position questionable. The delayed response of the government on important national issues has brought PMLN to this point of no return.

Recommend 0

kirther

Aug 12, 2014 05:13am

Imran Khan and Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri are trying to establish a system where basic rights of deprived masses are recognized and granted through policy making and effective planning. Why should anybody take this as anti-state move, unfortunately the credibility of all parties who have a chance to rule is zero as they have demonstrated it abundantly in the past.

Recommend 0

Aug 12, 2014 05:59am

I have always questioned IK's association with JI. It has never made any sense.

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Why SQD-Mini LED is the display breakthrough we’ve been waiting for?

The display industry is entering a new phase, where reducing trade-offs is as important as pushing performance limits.

The Palms at Silk Gardens introduces a new family address in Karachi

The Palms places families at the heart of its vision, offering thoughtfully planned 2 and 3-bedroom units in a secure, peaceful and community-led environment.