...and the circus goes on... :-)

HOPE EVERY ONE RETURNS HOME SAFE AND ALIVE.

Please publish more photos. I need to show them to my colleagues here in the USA. Good Tourism promotion

PPP and PMLN are both full of corrupt leader and MNA. They together have destroyed Pakistan for over 40 year by stealing money from Public and depositing in their personal account in UK, USA, and Dubai. Look at their children how well and comfortable life they live from the poor Pakistanis money and look at Pakistani they do not even have basic necessities of life. Pakistani Youth have seen and understood the game of these corrupt PMLN and PPP leader. It is about time that the Pakistani awam also get the same facilities as these corrupt leaders do. And the only way this will happen if you throw these corrupt leaders out of power and take control of your destiny.

Imran Khan is showing his true colors, he wants power by any means even if that leads to total chaos and destruction.

Long live Pakistan! It is a nation of heroes and fighter and will prevail. www.music4cause.net

IT SEEMS THAT PAKISTAN IS HEADING TOWARDS MARSHAL LAW..

@Mohammad Akhtar @mushtaq Hope you two fix your caps lock keys

This is sad. Our grandparents witnessed blood on streets and on wall of their homes in 14 august 1947. Even that day caused them a lot of pain, they celebrated this day for their freedom. But today, if there is again blood on our streets and walls, this day will turn into dark day in Pakistan's history. In 1947, that sacrifice was for Pakistan's freedom and today it will be handing Pakistan to a person who just needs power no matter who dies.

@Ahmed USA Why not make a lucrative business hub of Export during the protest..The Story goes on

IK please take pity on nation and don't make this day, controversial Dont be crazy as TUQ !!!!

@Humdard PTI is full of honest people without any blemish and sin!

Imran Khan's mantra is not working because people no longer believe in him and his team. Here are the reasons: His leadership team is full of people whom people do not trust...well you know why...; PTI has a very confused ideology; PTI's mission statement makes no sense whatsoever...what else the list goes on and on and on...further he has become a bag full of complaints...don't get me wrong, he may have some genuine ones as well, however, ask him solution to any issue and all you get is more complaints and mumbo jumbo...IK this is not cricket where your family contacts, some talent, some friendship, gut feeling and mere chance would let you sail through...before calling for change in Pakistan change your and your teams direction...after all..."at the twilight of your political career you cannot win the election...by yourself alone"...I rest my case...

Mr.TUQ, why you not launch your business campaign of so called "Inqilab" in Canada, will they kill you ? Every year your circus in pakistan is like jugglers. How much money of poor people you snatch and run away to canada. 1. our image outside pakistan is blurred due to such mad peoples. 2. We are losing our friends outside Pak. Who is behind you ? 3. Why we are moving toward situation as Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq and libya. 4. What is logic of protesting against rigging after one year passed. At time PMLN govt was established, protest would be really logical. On election how much cost is paid, do nation has enough money to carry election every year. Our nation is really passionate but we should have clear decision before casting vote. PMLN is doing what, let them do their job but Mr. IK have close look on these guys and scrutinize them. you will be winner finally.

@Ahmed USA If the people don't people in Imran Khan then please tell who are coming with him?

Down with the cheaters and looters of the national exchequers. March till the end of the kings.

Tahir ul Qadri needs to be audited...he has not even considered worth publishing his and his team's "income and assets" on Pakistan Awami Tehreek's (PAT's) website....may be people don't need to know...on PAT's website, however, you can easily find "Donate" and "Buy" links without further "clicks" though...shamefull indeed...Tahir ul Qadri and Imran Khan and other politicians alike need to be very very careful while making statements about their foes because inflammatory and derogatory comments may cause unpleasantness and may lead to an untoward accident...

1. "King" is statement of Mr. Zardari. 2. Long march trend is from PMLN "for CJ". 3. White paper is congress terminology. I am searching PTI mind.

Politics is the word on street.

PTI about elections: "All the election was rigid." - PTI has 34 MNAs. - PTI has 54 MKPKAs. - PTI has 30 MPAs. - PTI has 4 MSAs. None of them has resigned yet. Since they are saying it was rigid, I think there seats should be canceled till they prove that we won through pure and fair elections.

Although I am all-out for Azadi but, not for any animalistic-Azadi. A man must strive to be a better man always, by keeping pride a light-years away and grabbing humility where-ever found as his lost inheritance.

May Allah Almighty bless us from collision and bloodshed.

@Asif Raza Yes agreed, All seats should be cancelled and all member should prove the have won in fair. This includes PML-N and other parties too. Even if PTI candidate rigid the election he should be thrown out. But same should go for all parties. Justice should be served equally without any discrimination.

Happy Independence day to Pakistani friends.Wish you have a peaceful day.

Nawaz Sharif will see off and defeat the traitors of democracy

That's not the type of independence that Quaid had dreamed.

@M. M. Alam No he doesn't. It is your types who want the PPP and the PML (N) looters and fraudsters to remain in power.

If the Military, Government, Bureaucracy, Imran Khan and Tahir-ul-Qadri could channel resources and energy instead of obstructing highways, spouting useless rhetoric and undertaking long marches, they could illuminate Pakistan

Enough of Sharif brothers , to all those who are still in favor of these two [Zardari fraud and Sharif brother who think pakistan is property of their fathers] "fool me once shame on you , fooled me twice shame on me " you should have learned by now that these crooks will keep sucking blood from the nation. Its a time for change , i am not in favour of Imran , But hey he is the only one not tested yet. I want a change in my country this might be the sparking point for it , But i also want my nation to not break the public belongings rather break the house of all these rich ministers and burn them down , show it to them that they mean business , Enough is enough .. time for change enough of this rubbish ...

Here Jugglers go again. They are unable to respect the sacredness of the Independence Day and acknowledge the sacrifices of workers of Pakistan's movement. Pity is that jugglers still pretend that they are the righteous ones.

@Rehan Ahmad Agree with you. It should go for everyone. But it should be PTI turn first since they are the ones who claimed it.

"Change I like" is no doubt is slogan of every patriot Pakistani. But Suppose under flag of PTI: 1. What is next ideology after PMLN Govt finished? have PTI put their ideology to nation? 2. Where and which correction need to implement? 3. What will be optimization plan? 4. What will be anti corruption policy? 5. What will be foreign policy? 6. How they will audit themselves ? 7. Where is weakness and strength ? 8. How action plan will be executed ? Any idea ? or just we need change ?

@Ahsen Totay right bro. You have said it very well. We really are tired of these PML-N and PPP. I was born when Benazir was PM for her first time. So since that day, there was Benazi, Nawaz Sharif, Benazir, Nawaz Sharif, Musraf, Zardari and now Nawaz Sharif again. No Imran Khan or anyone else at all. So many of us voted for PTI in elections. But we were not strong enough to win election. We lost. Now, we have to accept that and wait for next election. Bringing revolution like this is just being cheap and losing faith of so many people. No matter what issues Imran Khan has with government, he should talk to them and try to solve them first instead just announcing long march on a celebration day. That's bad move for power.

@Ahmed USA And the circus goes on because people like you and me are sitting either in US & KSA and those in Pakistan don't want to rise against the corrupt system!

May Allah show the right path to these so called leaders and the protesters.

Politics is used to persuade public to agree on the ideas to unite, improve and serve the country. Unfortunately Politics is used to improve and serve personal agenda instead of country Hamari badluck k hamain politicians milay leaders nahi

One other goal for Tahir-ul-Qadri that he should add. "Send him packing back to Canada-- never to return- Inshallah"

These two gentlemen Imran Khan & Tahir Ul Qadri, they have no political baggage. They have not stolen any thing from ex-chequer, rather they have given some thing to the country/people. They are the best hope for our people and I request all to come out and support them in their efforts for this poor nation. May God bless them with success in their efforts to re build our country.

@An Indian Shushshshsh. Do not tell the Azadi Marchers that we already have independence.

Our leadership is still not maturate to run democracy. Pakistan is not ready for democracy as 70% population cannot read and write. So called leaders exploits the population for their won interest. We need Technocrat to run the country not corrupt politician.

@Malik Ajmal Khan - Demonstrations are "Good Tourism"?

@Lucky Star - They are "honest people"...well said!

@Humdard Totally agree. Add to that people always say Sharifs and Bhuttos and Zardari have big businesses. This is a lie there businesses are not real functioning businesses they are simply fronts to channel money. Look at the websites of their businesses and you can tell this companies don't exist.

this the begging of the end of monarchy of pakistan

@M. M. Alam - I fully agree

@Mohammad Akhtar @mushtaq - using cap letters is considered shouting. There is no need for this.

@mushtaq I have never heard of a "MARSHAL LAW" in Pakistan. to the best of my knowledge that is a comic book. Are you referring to that? The episodes of our Martial Law could, in many ways, be truly described as MARSHAL LAW.

Barbadi march is on... Real mature PTI real mature.. Taking issues to street is clear sign of hooliganism .. They are not what they claim they are they are no better then gulu badmash...

Fifteen people were shot dead at point blank range (and many more injured) and nothing happened. Imagine if this occurred in Europe or USA. This government needs to go on this account alone, let alone anything else.

They have started their campaign and let's hope a peaceful end and pleasant political environment prevails in the country.

14th August the day of independence and I'm obliged to stay at home. Irony.

Imran khan too in a container ita all abt container theses days in pak its better if imran qadri contain themselves a bit god bless

I guess, Junoon concert will be the highlight of this event

@Lucky Star You are joking of course ! I saw Rasheed from Rawalpindi who joined every bandwagon that was going since he was in college. He joined all dictators with his car full of supporters. Was he the minister in Mush's dictatorship ?

We want change, no matter how many people die for it and in how many pieces Pakistan is torn into, but Imran should be the PM of whatever remains in the name of Pakistan... Regards, PTI

@Ahmed USA some talent! really...

This is my saddest independence day in the last fifty years of my stay in Islamabad. Courtesy the trio, Nawaz, Imran and Qadri , I pray that better sense will prevail and they are back on track.

COAS is booked with the PM since zero hour Aug14 to Aug17, till both of them pay tribute to the holy dentures shrine by the white mosque. PM is outta luck & outta time. Too bad! For the third timer.

Putting containers + digging up roads + laying barbed wires + arresting protestors prove PM Mian Nawaz Sharif has accepted his ouster otherwise why to do this all. Where will he go is the most baffling question? Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Former Diplomat / Kuwait

@M. M. Alam If he wanted power he could have compromised on his principles ages ago

Wish I could join the March. Stay strong.

Indeed Allah knew more than us and did not give PMship to IK, this man is totally lost, don't know how he will handle everything even if Nawaz make a decision to resign. IK this is real country with 180 Million real human beings and need some planning/time to change, this is not a twenty20 cricket match. Wake up !!!

@Humdard From where the PTI people came from? They are all same with different face mask.

With Hashmi and Qureshi on his either side, what's 'Naya' about his 'Naya Pakistan'?

Why are the airports deserted?

I think gas is out of the Balloon and PTI is looking for some sort of face saving and Govt. is providing them to let this "Jalsa" carry on. Very wise decision by the Govt. Wii stay for 2 or 3 days and then leave . I said it before and will say again that" this is the beginning of the end of PTI."because of too many U-Turns.

Change while both IK and TUQ sitting in AC containers with all facilities, you can imagine how different there tenure would be.

@Wali think before what you wish for

". . . .We are convinced that demands raised by the chairman PTI and chairman PAT . . . . are in violation of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. . . . " I have a question. Was rigging allowed in the constitution?

These two gentlemen ( Imran and Qadri ) could go for Fast ( hunger) till death. Why they put lives of thousands in danger. Bring technology in elections. India.... voters 80 crores , Zero complaint in election 2014. I wish happy independence and safety of your people.

Dawn... this live update is great. It would be better if you put the most recent news or update on the top of the page and then readers can scroll down for older updates.

I pray along with M Akhtar

thank you Dawn for great coverage.

@Agha Ata Nope. Rigging was not allowed. And sadly, all PTI members won through rigged elections. On the other hand, LHC said the "demands" are against the constitution not the allegations. PTI alleged that election was riggid. As far as allegations are concerned, everyone including Imran Khan has so many allegations on himself. Its another thing that any of the allegations is true or false.

"No difference between Imran, Qadri: Khurshid Shah" Apples and oranges, Sire and the likes. No point in trying to explain in now anyway. there was ample time to understand and work with both parties if there was a proper DEMOCRATIC government and ministers in Parliament.

@rashid siddiqui I am with you when you write "Fifteen people were shot dead at point blank range (and many more injured) and nothing happened. Imagine if this occurred in Europe or USA. . . ." We of the sub-continent should not complain when the West treats us badly and our lives 'quite cheap." Very unfortunate considering that we shoot at our own feet!

This march will fail. Imran Khan cannot bring social change as too many through these means as too many of the participants of the current system have skin in the game. The problem does not end with PML-N. Most political parties including many of Khan's party colleagues have looted and plundered Pakistan. I come from an Army family and have the highest regard for the jawans and officers who lay down their lives for our country. But make no mistake, corruption is prevalent in the armed forces as well, from plots to awarding contracts for something as little as groceries. When you are ordering food or supplies for thousands of jawans on base there is a lot of room for negotiation, if you get my drift. The point is that too people are rotten to the core who don't like IK's message.

Every body is pointing to IK and TQ's lust for power. Can you name one politician, at any level, without lust for power? No politician is there just to serve people. If you ignore lust for power, then who is better. I would say Imran Khan, or even TQ. They are definitely better than Nawaz, Zardari and rest of the dirty dozen. They have not looted anything yet.

Look at the luxury five star penthouse suite with leather sofas for the people's leader Imran Khan; while the followers follow unprotected in scorching heat. This is NO INQALAB. This is NOT EVEN INSAF. When leadership exhibits shameless DOUBLE STANDARDS, how can they claim any CREDIBILITY?

As a symbolic gesture against corruption, embezzlement, money laundering, foreign influence, treason and loot the name of Islamabad's International Airport be changed immediately.

I am against these tactics of imran and qadri I support PML N and have full confidence in Nawaz Sharif

@Hamid Bashir Insha Allah. Long live PAKISTAN.

@Ahmed USA It's really working but paid trolls like you have given permission to write other way around opposite to reality.

Anyone have visited the KPK, under Imran Khan? I couldn't believe my own eyes...in in our village the streets were fixed, the educational system is enhanced, Now you can write FIR online, and even report a police, or other authority for corruption. No more electricity stealing. Things are changing, under Imran. Great Job.

@Asif Raza Rigged not rigid my friend

@Rehan Ahmad The point is that both Khan and Qadri sahib compare elections in Pakistan against Western structures but all the external observers at these elections said they were the fairest elections Pakistan has ever held. I do not for one minute believe that there was not some element of rigging in some constituencies but to suggest that the whole election should be held again on the basis of the demands of two people who cannot provide a full audit of their own supporters is ludicrous.

are you still sleep walking and don't see the agenda Imran Khan and crazy Kadri are working and who is their sponcer

Let the march go please.

@M. M. Alam If that is true, he could have been president long time ago!

@Rehan Ahmad If by "rigid" you mean "rigged" one can agree with you.

what a waste of resources and time. IK was given a chance to prove his leadership in entire KPK...such a shame that he failed and now creating drama and bad image of our great country PAKISTAN. If IK and Qadri are true leaders, they must sit and talk to the Government in a much respectful manner rather than using human shields. Long live Pakistan

@Waqar Khan Just to confirm, was it Pakistan's KPK or some other country? How many hours you slept that dreamy night?

March in August!!!

How this is being Financed?

Imran should first prove him self with better governance of KP before claiming the PM seat. The steps he is taking shows 3 things. 1) He is impatient 2) He is afraid he will not be able to win hearts of people with KP government. I agree managing KP is tough, but not tougher than the whole PK. 3) He did not believe next elections will be fair. If it is the third point only, then addressing election process as result of this march should be enough. PML-N government should get change for once to complete their tenure leaving no excuses for them in the future.

@Ali Bro...I agree with you...wait untill our time comes inshAllah...not far off though...Pakistan should be a place where people of the world come to seek knowledge, goodwill and prosperity... :-)

People believe in IK. How can a government continue when they have question marks as big as this??? The whole country is crying that the current government is not legitimate. For God sake resign and show moral courage. If you were the real winner, then you will win again. But It is now sure that the stance of IK is legitimate and valid. The current government has lost credibility with regard to their position on electoral rigging.

Brothers and sisters, Don't put down new Quid-e- Azam ( IMRAN KHAN) real true and honest Pakistani leader. God bless Pakistan under IMRAN KHAN, as all pakistani aboard want to come back to real PAKISTAN.

Unfortunately,the captain doesn't remain a national hero,as I always admired. He is now an arrogant person,destroyer of nationalism on 14th August and someone who can't be trusted because he changes his demands/statements every day and to make it even worst he is now a comrade of Cahudharies of Gujrat and Sheikh Sb,what a fall!

@Sajn And that is why they had put in an application for having those constituencies re counted etc per due process. and we all know of the timeline of the events that have occured since that have led to this day.

@Salma With all due respect there can be and ever will be only one Jinnah. the ONLY person entitled to be known as Quaide Azam.

@h.harris Not sure about PAT, but for the PTI march through the party workers' donations, quite clearly and transparently advertised.

Supposedly no other country has this degree of loyalty towards their political leaders, where citizens have no life, nothing to do and could be easily manipulated for whatever the agenda each party has. No doubt this seems to be a circus. People are fooling themselves if they think something will be accomplished. Instead they are just putting the country on the verge of self-destruction while a third force is perhaps laughing off at this.

How Nawaz could understand the difficulties of ordinary Pakistanis who are living in poverty ,with out water , electricity and gas when his palace never faces any shortage of these facilities. Sheikh Rashid is right that this not a democracy but a dictator ship of a five members of a family.

Imran Khan and Tahir ul Qadri's photos says it all...while our make believe "Inqilabi Heros" are enjoying hearty meal and seen riding luxury airconditioned bullet proof vehicles...their followers including women and children are seen braving the sun, lathis, harassment and hunger in open...while they ignorantly march to the beat of their respective "leaders" drums...shame has lost its meaning for these so called "Inqilabi leaders"...a true leader only lead by example...

Junoon at its best. Long live PTI

try to rid the country of extremists,terrorists than worry about the looter brothers

How long this drama will contiue? In this oppressive heat , I already feel so tired.

@Kashif Abro those who claimed that PTI failed in kpk , shall into account the performance of previous governments who have ruled the province .i wont go into detail how PTI government is performanig in KPK ,but at least i would like to mention here that it is controlling corruption specially in education sector which has been hugely corrupted by the previous ANP government .

I have a huge regret that I am not part of this freedom movement. First time in my life I feel that Pakistan is about to get freedom. In 1947 we got freedom from Brits but it is the moment when history would say Pakistan was created in 2014.

Good Luck, PTI.

@Sara Y where citizens have no life, nothing to do and could be easily manipulated for whatever the agenda each party has. Don't underestimate the power of a common person.

@naghman with due respect its the other way around.. poverty gives birth to extremism and terrorism.. west looks discipliend and shinny because the labour drivers Ford F-150 truck... which most highly paid Engineers cann't afford!

@M.Saleem True. But that applies to all our beloved politicians. Isn't it.

@Salma Quaid Azam A little too much? I think But he is best of the current lot of politicians though .

@Sajn change what change if same faces are in pti like mr hashmi and mr qureshi

@Waseem. Problem is the 3rd point. But can you trust Sharif brothers to really revamp the election process honestly? So for that reason it needs to be done by someone without any basted interest ( no politician)

@Kashif Abro ...such a shame that he failed What makes you say he failed? Sit and talk with NS? IK has been raising this issue for more than one yr. in the Parliment, courts, TV , in his speeches. Even with CJ Iftikhar who opted to ignore. And now that people are on the roads, suddenly the PM and PPP want to talk? I don't think it's a secret anymore that Zardari and NS watch out for each other's back. Zardari however turned out to be a much better politician though.

this is great long march on independance day 14august against corupt gov pml(n) i like that imran khan is a great leader.

MashaAllah, Kafi jazba loogo'n mae nazr aa raha hae --Khuda khair krae Mian Sahab kee

Media should wake up and have some courage to ask Imran Khan and Tahir ul Qadri as to why their respective family members are kept away from leading these marches from the front row...whereas poor and ignorant folks including women, children and elderly are asked daily to offer sacrifices and consequently put themselves in harm

We need Musharaf...

The opportunist IK will continue to undermine an elected government. He is power hungry. I am so disappointed.

Azadi March (Freedom March) means Pakistanis have either been Ghulam (Slaves) for 67 years since 1947 or they were enslaved sometimes after 1947. This means the work of Mohamad Ali Jinnah to create Pakistan is either a hoax or fairy tale. There are two ambitious people Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri who wish to do what Mohammad Ali Jinnah did and wish to earn the credit for "Azadi" or independence of Pakistan. It is a shame for all Pakistanis that the great work of Mohammad Ali Jinnah is being disputed by the two men thus an insult to the entire nation of Pakistan.

Mr Prime Minister we elected you with love and hope and we hope you will not let us down and will have faith and no matter what never resign or dissolve the assembly.

@M. M. Alam is this the only attempt to grab power through chaos and destruction since august 1947?

excellent coverage

@Ahmed USA You are joking. Right?

we want to freedom we want to imran khan the grat learder of the world.

@Humdard :what do you think about the army bro ?? they hve been in power more then any govt. they take up 60% of the budget of the country.... my point is everyone who gets the oppertunity has looted this country and these leaders are imposed on us bcoz of our own deeds so we shouldnt be blaming others.

@Aysha We need Musharaf.. ... to complete the destruction process.

@Jawad & Sadia "I, being a Pakhtun PTI voter & supporter, would sadly say NO (partially). PTI has not been able to do ALL that was expected - not because it lacks the capacity but perhaps because it has not done the proper homework." By Pervez Khattak

@Malik Ajmal Khan So you live in USA... Doing what? McDonald

@Ahmed USA From USA this looks circus to you. You must be used to corrupt ways of life.