Aug 14: Government urges Imran to change long march date

E-Paper | June 13, 2026

LAHORE: Federal Minister of Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique on Sunday urged Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to change the date of his scheduled long march in Islamabad on August 14.

At a press conference earlier today, Saad Rafique said, "The tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to 66 years. It is not a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) event but a national event for Pakistan and it cannot be changed."

Also read: PTI sees no chance of long march cancellation

He added that Imran should not turn the celebration into a day of agitation and urged him and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri to be careful of “rabble-rousers” such as Pervez Illahi and “gossip-mongers” such as Sheikh Rashid.

Rafique appealed to political parties to shun the tradition of waving their party flags during the August 14 celebrations this year. "In every part of Pakistan, there should not be colourful party flags but the green crescent flag of Pakistan to present a united front as a nation."

Rafique condemned the Model Town incident and added that Qadri should not have made provocative speeches from Canada, which inflamed his supporters and resulted in a tragedy.

In response to a reporter who pointed out that the PPP had allowed a similar march during their government, he said, "Independence day celebrations have been celebrated before Imran Khan was born."

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.

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

21 terrorists killed in North Waziristan IBOs in last 72 hours: ISPR

Govt balances relief and IMF diktat in FY27 budget

Alleged militant commander killed in Bannu; attempt to destroy link bridge foiled

Concerned Citizen

Jul 13, 2014 03:54pm

When in the PTI fund raiser in London the reservation card say "The Future Prime Minister of Pakistan". Do they really care about Pakistan and 14 August. They only care about power.

Recommend 0

W.Shaikh

Jul 13, 2014 04:03pm

Mr. Rafique, please talk about GAZA and IDPS in NWA. Stop worrying about petty issues.

Recommend 0

zak

Jul 13, 2014 04:09pm

It is not about marches but 'justice' for the people. If your party came on vote rigging then the system must change as people should get those they voted for to represent them, not the likes of you, as you yourself are denying a recount of your constituency knowing you will be exposed. Otherwise agree to a recount. First fundamental right-Fair voting system! get it.

Recommend 0

AfZal

Jul 13, 2014 04:16pm

Why dont they change it!

Recommend 0

Lucky Star

Jul 13, 2014 04:21pm

Please IK, change the date for long march. Let's celebrate independence Day, August 14, peacefully, and do not let Taliban messed it up in confusion of long march.

Recommend 0

Kaleem

Jul 13, 2014 04:25pm

Its decent request to change the date, PTI rally will grab all media attention and little would be left for Independence day celebrations.

Recommend 0

Lucky Star

Jul 13, 2014 04:25pm

IK was born in sixty's but lives in 40's when long marches against the British rule were prevalent.

Recommend 0

event horizon

Jul 13, 2014 04:27pm

Can Dawn refrain from publishing photo of this minister please? It is okay to publish what he says but please understand that seeing his face is a nerve wrecking experience for all people (most probably including PML-N too).

Recommend 0

Sammy

Jul 13, 2014 04:28pm

And the hero speaks yet again!

Recommend 0

Kamran

Jul 13, 2014 04:38pm

A non-violent revolution is not a program of seizure of power. It is a program of transformation of citizens mandate back to the people, ending in a peaceful transfer of power.

Recommend 0

Syed (Australia)

Jul 13, 2014 04:39pm

Why Saad Rafique seems to be so worried about Imran Khan celebration march. He is Pakistani and leads a political party Imran has equal right to celebrate.

Recommend 0

akram

Jul 13, 2014 04:42pm

He has a point, on independence day their should be no politics, or political flags. Only the national flags. However this should be binding for the future also on the pml and ppp.

Recommend 0

Lahore wala

Jul 13, 2014 04:46pm

Nawaz and his brother Shahbaz are scared.

Recommend 0

Humdard

Jul 13, 2014 04:57pm

@Lucky Star How can you celebrate when election was stolen? You mean you should celebrated even when your house has been robbed? Date should not change. PMLN is scared as always. In Democracy it it people's right to stand up for their right regardless of date

Recommend 0

Khalid

Jul 13, 2014 04:58pm

Is this not the minister responsible for reviving the dying Pakistan Railways?. He is either not interested in improving the railways or he is already finished re-organising it within one year of this PMLN government. Should the spokesperson of PMLN be making comments like these and ministers focusing on the jobs at hand?

Recommend 0

gerry d'cunha

Jul 13, 2014 05:10pm

both PML and PPP and other political parties at present are not fit or competent to carry day to day business of the country - after quaid-e-azam ,ayub khan and za bhutto's cabinet were the only competent people who could rule pakistan

Recommend 0

Syed Hassan

Jul 13, 2014 05:26pm

Why not accept the demands of IK in the first place and peacefully dissolve this whole circus. That way both PTI and PML-N can jointly celebrate the Independence Day in its true spirit (i.e. equal rights and equal participation to all). Perhaps, this is precisely what the Government and this minister is scared of. After all his constituency is also tarnished with blatant rigging as well.

Recommend 0

Malik

Jul 13, 2014 05:33pm

PTI should match on 14 august and celebrate independence in lslamabad. Government should agree to the demands of PTI and turn the protect march into celebrations

Recommend 0

Ali

Jul 13, 2014 06:14pm

Imran Khan is fighting for our great nation Pakistan whether it be on independence day, eid or any other day. Its fight for fairness, equality and bright future of pakistanis. Without this survival of our country is in jeopardy.

Recommend 0

M.M.Sherazi

Jul 13, 2014 06:19pm

We believe in IK as the truest and country-loving person, such demands shall definitely motivate IK to postponing the Long-March date, in the wake of national day celebrations.

Recommend 0

Ali

Jul 13, 2014 06:21pm

@Concerned Citizen - There is nothing wrong with saying future PM of Pakistan. Its about the intention that matters. IK has given far more back to the nation than sharif and his offsprings can do in next 100 years. Infact they have only looted this country.

Recommend 0

Fame

Jul 13, 2014 06:23pm

All those who want to celebrate independence day must be living in a different country since the people of Pakistan got nothing out of it. They are still being ruled by the very people who worked for the colonial powers. Pakistan is not an independent country, police and bureaucracy still treats a common man like they would before 1947. Eighteen people got killed by the police in the heart of Lahore, 80 wounded and you want to celebrate independence. Hypocrisy is what is common amongst Pakistanis!

Recommend 0

Shuaib Bhat

Jul 13, 2014 06:29pm

The government shouldn't take Imran Khan seriously.

Recommend 0

event horizon

Jul 13, 2014 07:00pm

@Humdard The election was not 'stolen'. There was some administrative rigging. This type of rigging cannot be ruled out in countries like Pakistan. PML-N was bound to win the election (look at opinion polls, etc.). I am not a fan of PML-N at all but in my honest opinion, PTI is taking this rigging thing too far. If the elections were rigged so much, why did PTI take oath for NA. To me, this delayed hue and cry about election rigging is ordered by someone who want to keep winding up the government on the pretext of public unrest over rigging. PTI is trying to give an impression to the people that it won the 2013 elections so that PTI is considered a party capable of winning some 200 seats. If there was no rigging in the last elections, PTI could have won two or three more NA seats or probably two or three less seats than they have.

Recommend 0

AKNasser

Jul 13, 2014 07:02pm

Recount votes in 4 constituencies, there will be no protest march.

Recommend 0

tnemeganam

Jul 13, 2014 07:04pm

PTI should watch out for the Gullu Butts among the participants of the rally.

Recommend 0

parveez

Jul 13, 2014 07:56pm

What is there to celebrate. A country that is going backwards. Its the bhutto and Nawaz brothers who treat pakistan as if they own it. The poor are slave to these people.

Recommend 0

sid

Jul 13, 2014 08:02pm

Pakistan Independence day celebrations? What are we celebrating?... The country is in a state and people are wanting to celebrate independence day! People please wake up

Recommend 0

asif

Jul 13, 2014 08:15pm

@Lucky Star he was born in 50s not 60s.

Recommend 0

frkh

Jul 13, 2014 08:16pm

It is useless to celebrate independence of a country where peoples

Recommend 0

Jul 13, 2014 08:18pm

@Khalid Knowing the quality of recently purchased engines tells us how much this minister is in love of this country, they imported railway engines that wont fit the tunnels it needed to pass through

Recommend 0

Jul 13, 2014 08:20pm

@akram I believe its the other way around, who is really playing politics and lying that that independence day celebrations were planned ahead.

Recommend 0

Israr Khan Ismailzai

Jul 13, 2014 08:36pm

I dont understand what the govt is afraid of.

Recommend 0

Malveros

Jul 13, 2014 08:41pm

Neither is the election stolen nor is there a need to recount four constituencies period. Get back to work in KPK IK. IK u cannot solve Pakistan's problems even if u ever get elected PM and that too three times in a row. The ruling party needs less distractions in order to get on with its mega economic development plans.

Recommend 0

Lucky Star

Jul 13, 2014 09:02pm

@Humdard That's what IK thinks, but we don't think so, because we were declared winner by ECP.

Recommend 0

Lucky Star

Jul 13, 2014 09:07pm

@W.Shaikh Long march is not petty issue; million people can create law and order situation with unpredictable consequences. We are not the policeman of the world like America.

Recommend 0

aisha

Jul 13, 2014 09:18pm

Saad Rafique is a railways minister and not one who is spokesperson for Ministry of Interior. Coming from Nisar Ali Khan this is acceptable but why should PTI listen when the advice is coming from the wrong side?

Recommend 0

Bilal

Jul 13, 2014 09:52pm

I have been a core supporter of IK since 2011, until 2013. I found him extremely self-centered since elections last year. For him 4 MNA seats are more important than 800 thousands IDPs. He could have mobilized government machinery, international donors and pressed Federal Govt to help these IDPs more efficiently.

Recommend 0

optimist

Jul 13, 2014 09:54pm

@event horizon Just my thoughts too. What do you expect from a party which has leaders like Saad Rafiq. Hopefully soon the ECP or the SC will agree to re-counting in those 4 constituencies and the nation will be rid of this man.

Recommend 0

AJamal

Jul 13, 2014 10:21pm

PML N ministers should be serving IDPs in Bannu instead of lip serving from Islamabad and Lahore.

Recommend 0

sohail

Jul 13, 2014 10:58pm

People who themselevs are a corrupt and dishonest person who rigged his own election left and right. Who will listen to these people?

Recommend 0

Salman

Jul 13, 2014 10:59pm

@W.Shaikh Rigged election is a petty issue for you? These type of elections bring corrupt individuals to parliament and then they destroy the country.

Recommend 0

Khalid

Jul 13, 2014 11:40pm

@OS Thanks for letting me know. I wasn't even aware of this. Not having lived in Pakistan for a long long time, I still miss my Pakistan everyday. Not the Pakistan it has become but the Pakistan I left behind.

Recommend 0

Khalid

Jul 13, 2014 11:42pm

@Bilal I agree with you. I used to like IK very much but listening to him in the last couple of years, he has turned out to be a big disappointment. We need a Jinnah or Atatruk.

Recommend 0

M Rafique

Jul 13, 2014 11:43pm

Why PML (N) is worried for 14th August call of PTI, they can celebrate independence day at Meenar Pakistan Lahore and display the heavy mandate they used to claim

Recommend 0

Hassan

Jul 15, 2014 02:24am

Why so much concern over PTI Mr. Saad Rafique? You really are turning this into a battle between who wins Pakistan on the Independence day. Certainly the Pakistani flag would not mean PML (N) if that is what you are trying to imply. And for such an important person in the democratically elected government you could have expressed some concern over Gaza!

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.