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Updated 04 Aug, 2014 02:38pm

JI chief terms PTI long march 'justified'

PESHAWAR: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq on Sunday said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf's (PTI) call for a long march was "justified" DawnNews reported. He however added that the JI would not support any move to dissolve the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa assembly.

Distancing himself from recent reports that suggest PTI leaders may hand in their resignations from the National Assembly, Haq said, "If the PTI chooses to step down from power it would be entirely their own choice."

On Saturday, Haq had clarified that the JI would not be supporting any "unconstitutional step" taken by the PTI.

“The people have given us the mandate and we will not breach their trust,” he had said while addressing his party workers at Fazal Qadir Shaheed Park. Earlier in July, it was reported that the JI had opted not to join the PTI long march because the party had not been consulted on the proposed protest plan.

The PTI is expecting close to a million people to take part in the march on the federal capital. The party had called for a 'million march' on Aug 14 to register its protest against alleged widespread rigging in the 2013 general elections.

PTI leaders have been working to forge alliances to ensure the "final push" to Islamabad will be a success.

While the JI appears unwilling to participate directly, Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri's own march to Islamabad may join with the PTI.

PML-Q's Chaudhry Shujaat is reported to have advised the PTI leadership not to go for a solo flight because he thinks the PTI workers cannot make a long stay in Islamabad.

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