Imran's long march to coincide with govt's Aug 14 celebrations at D-Chowk

Dawn.com Published July 12, 2014

LAHORE: Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid said Saturday that August 14 would mark the country’s Independence Day and celebrations would commence at Islamabad's D-Chowk, adding that all political leaders, including Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, and various foreign dignitaries would be invited to partake in the celebrations, DawnNews reported.

In a subtle reference to the million march on Islamabad that the PTI has been planning for August 14, the minister told media representatives in Lahore that after attending independence day celebrations, participants would be free to do as they pleased and there would be no restrictions on their movements.

Responding to a question regarding Imran Khan's proposed million march and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri's call for a revolution, Rashid said there was still time left before the march, adding that both Imran and Qadri were wont to 'backtrack' on their statements. He said Qadri had also come to Pakistan earlier for a revolution, but had left his people under a state of stress and had departed for Canada.

Earlier, Khan had announced to launch a million man long march on Islamabad on August 14 if the government failed to accept within a month his demands relating to fairness of elections.

Also read: PTI threatens Independence Day march on capital

The information minister said that the military was playing its role to secure the country, but those criticising the Army were, in turn, helping terrorists.

He said that the former Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government wanted to give constitutional immunity to former military ruler Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf but the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) had opposed the move.

Rashid said former premier Yousuf Raza Gilani’s statement yesterday had been distorted. He said Gilani had not mentioned that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had been taken on board regarding Musharraf.

Also read: Kayani wanted NWA operation to be his call: Gilani

Rashid claimed that the PPP had apprised the PML-N that Musharraf would be guaranteed a safe passage, which the party had opposed and had allowed the law to take its own course over the former army strongman.

PTI Long March

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Malveros

Jul 12, 2014 03:20pm

Well done PML (N). This is a good move. We should be celebrating Independence Day on 14th August not Tsunami marches.

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sohail

Jul 12, 2014 03:23pm

Will this guy ever say truth. He is a personal darbari of sharifs.

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Lucky Star

Jul 12, 2014 04:07pm

@sohail Rashid is telling the truth, but the question is if IK is telling the truth about his love children in UK and USA.

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Jul 12, 2014 04:10pm

OMG this PML-N government is a joke. 2 weeks long celebrations. What about the IDPs? If they really think they have this so called huge mandate then what are they afraid off. Let PTI and PAT do their long marches. Never seen such a government in my life. Shameless

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ghuman

Jul 12, 2014 04:30pm

To celebrate what? Sharif family achiement, as pakistan does not have anything to celebrate.

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Muhammed Ali

Jul 12, 2014 06:02pm

@Malveros Crooks and corruption at work here, as they dont give a toss about Pakistan...

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Muhammed Ali

Jul 12, 2014 06:10pm

This corrupt govt rather than sit and discuss matters think they are clever in announcing this event.....a million IDP are suffering and what do this govt do they follow PPP in a culture festival wasting billions, was this event planned? Or was it just like i think in reponse in panic to IKs 14th Aug plans...just shows how scared they are...mandate or not they are afraid and it shows..

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M.M.Sherazi

Jul 12, 2014 06:29pm

Such ambivalent statements, underpinning the importance of classified information that is not meant to be divulged or disclosed so openly under the current sensitive situation, may indicate an insufficient aptitude of the Information Minister of Pakistan, who is engaged in blaming or instigating the workers and leaderships of two prominent political parties i.e. PTI and PPP.

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Mansoor Mahesar

Jul 12, 2014 06:38pm

Imran khan is Against Democracy so i think he is not a Better Politian.

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shah zaman

Jul 12, 2014 06:58pm

Poor govt has no option to tackle madness of IK.

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ejaz ahmed

Jul 12, 2014 06:58pm

Good move by government. Stop the nonsense from the Qadri and Imran. They are trying to create chaos in our country. I had a lot of respect for Imran. Ever since he has joined hands with Qadri , I have lost confidence in him. Now I think that Mr. Khan just wants to become PM of Pakistan by hook or by crook.

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Farid

Jul 12, 2014 07:11pm

What is Pakistan celebrating ? Independence day, Independence from What?

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Salman Ahmed

Jul 12, 2014 07:22pm

@Mansoor Mahesar Yes he may not be a good 'Politian'....but for sure is an honest man & Politician.

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Salman Ahmed

Jul 12, 2014 07:23pm

The headline s/be the opposite. PMLN announces celebrations to coincide with the Azadi March.

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malik

Jul 12, 2014 07:25pm

PMLN working on the behalf of PTI. public will come out on PMLN invitation and will support the struggle for real independence. PTI is running.

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malik

Jul 12, 2014 07:29pm

@Muhammed Ali Totally agree this government has a fake mandate and they are afraid of being exposed so trying their best to cover up. Shame is a small word for PMLN.

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nasiroski

Jul 12, 2014 07:31pm

Shariffs and their cronies are completely loosing it now, they are going to mess it up royally, I can't believe they can't handle PTI and PAT!!! This is another huge mistake.

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malik

Jul 12, 2014 07:33pm

Dawn should introduce a dislike option as well. The outrageous comments which are against the humanity and the definition of human been must be discouraged.

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Shuaib Bhat

Jul 12, 2014 08:02pm

All PTI supporters live in an alternate universe. It is hilarious to see them act just like PPP supporters, no matter what Imran Khan says or does they will always support him vis-a-vis PPP supporters. Haha.

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Qamar

Jul 12, 2014 09:17pm

What's there to celebrate??? Poor law and order, bad economy, load shedding, criminals sitting in parliament, ...and the list can go on and on.

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marghoob ahmed siddiqui

Jul 12, 2014 09:21pm

Celebrations announced by PMLN are just to deviate attention from Imran's Long March. Why Nawaz had not thought of Celebrations when he was ruling Country before?

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Adnan

Jul 12, 2014 09:42pm

Someone is saying that PTI march is against democracy, where is the democracy in PML-N and PPP , both are family based parties and the system in Pakistan is not democracy but plutocracy.

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Nadeem

Jul 12, 2014 09:56pm

Who can control this joker by the name IK

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m. a

Jul 12, 2014 10:05pm

This is another illegitimate person, who is waiting for the crushing of his head.

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nazneen sheikh

Jul 12, 2014 10:10pm

Excellent move by the government to hold the regular Independence Day celebrations. This should prevent Imran Khan's plans to materialize effectively and offer false rage from podiums. As a matter of fact no political agitation should be allowed on a day which is celebratory in nature.

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Dr-Saleemi

Jul 12, 2014 10:55pm

Similarly as PTI jalsa in Faisalabad coincided with Naseebu LAL music concert.Hilarious!

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Atta

Jul 12, 2014 11:21pm

@Farid Independence from the Talibans I guess

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Sultan Alvi, Canada

Jul 13, 2014 01:05am

@malik I totally agree with your comment. It is very annoying not to have that option to disagree. How can Dawn claim to be a fair and democratic new paper. I fully endorse your following comment, and request Dawn to provide with that option right away. " Dawn should introduce a dislike option as well. The outrageous comments which are against the humanity and the definition of human been must be discouraged."

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Lucky Star

Jul 13, 2014 04:47am

@Sultan Alvi, Canada That will be totally against freedom of expression and it might affect both of you. Go to Yahoo News, you can write whatever you want, and that's the way it should be.

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