PESHAWAR/NOWSHERA: The opposition’s Rehbar Committee on Tuesday announced the schedule of the Azadi March rallies to be led by different political leaders in the province on Oct 31 (Thursday).

The details of the anti-government processions were shared during a media briefing at the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl’s secretariat in Peshawar, where the JUI-F was represented by its convener, Asif Iqbal Daudzai, Awami National Party by its provincial general secretary, Sardar Hussain Babak, Qaumi Watan Party by its provincial senior vice-chairman, Tariq Ahmed Khan, Pakistan Peoples Party by its provincial senior vice-president, Syed Ayub Shah, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz by its provincial vice-president, Rashid Mehmood.

According to the schedule, ANP president Asfandyar Wali Khan will lead his party’s procession from Rashkai to Islamabad, QWP chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao his party’s from Charsadda, JUI-F provincial chief Maulana Attaur Rehman his party’s from Peshawar and PPP provincial president Humayun Khan his party’s from Peshawar.

Opposition’s panel announces Azadi March schedule

However, the PML-N has yet to disclose who will lead its procession and from where.

All processions will meet in Hassanabdal before moving towards Islamabad.

The Rehbar Committee asked the government to follow the high court’s decision regarding the removal of hurdles to the opposition’s rallies.

The representatives of opposition parties asked their respective workers to ensure participation in the processions as scheduled.

Earlier, the JUI-F’s executive committee met with the party’s provincial chief, Maulana Attaur Rehman, in the chair.

It finalised the Azadi March plan.

The processions from Chitral, Kohistan, Upper Dir, Shangla and Torghar will leave their respective districts today (Wednesday) and meet the main procession in Rashakai at 2pm tomorrow (Thursday).

The processions from Malakand division, Mohmand will also reach Rashakai, while those from Hazara division, tribal districts and southern parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be there until 4pm on Oct 31.

According to JUI-F’s provincial spokesman, Maulana Abdul Jalil Jan, the businesspersons of the province have promised active participation in the Azadi March.

He said the party’s office-bearers had already been given necessary instructions for the anti-government protests.

Meanwhile, ANP general secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain said Prime Minister Imran Khan would resign before the Azadi March reached Islamabad.

“The people are joining the Azadi March voluntarily, so the Imran Khan’s government may resign before the procession reaches Islamabad for not expecting such a huge crowd,” he told reporters in Nowshera.

The ANP leader said his party would actively participate in the Azadi March.

He criticised Prime Minister Imran Khan over ‘irresponsible’ statements and said corrupt people had gathered under the umbrella of the ruling PTI and were looting national resources.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2019