Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman Monday said they are closer to ‘achieving their objectives’, adding that the sit-in will continue until the demands are met.
“We are close to achieving our objectives,” he said following a meeting of the Pervaiz Khattak-led government committee and the opposition’s Rehbar Committee.
JUI-F leader Akram Khan Durrani the government’s negotiating committee and opposition’s Rehbar Committee held a detailed discussion during which the opposition reiterated its demands regarding the Azadi March. He said the two sides will meet again on Tuesday at 3pm after the government body discusses the opposition’s demands with its leadership.
The meeting was held following an all-parties conference of the opposition parties which unanimously decided to continue with the protest in the federal capital. JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman chaired the meeting where all the opposition parties discussed the future course of action.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahsan Iqbal, earlier, announced that party president Shehbaz Sharif will not attend the all parties conference, and the party delegation will instead be led by former NA speaker Ayaz Sadiq. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also didn’t attend the APC as he was holding a rally in South Punjab. Party leaders Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Nayyar Bukhari, Naveed Qamar and Farhatullah Babar were, instead, in attendance.
During the APC, Fazl told the leaders of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) that insignificant gains should not be preferred over the challenges of the country’s people. “Today, the opposition parties have decided that we will plan the future strategy for the Azadi March, not you,” said the JUI-F supremo after the APC, in an indirect message to the ruling PTI.
He said that the doubts about the opposition being divided have been laid to rest. “We want to pull Pakistan out of isolation,” he said, adding that there is something going on at every front for the country to struggle with. “Imran Khan was first selected, now he is rejected,” he told the crowd, reiterating the demand for the prime minister to relinquish power. “We all are anxious; we need peaceful life as it’s our constitutional right. So tell us when you are going home,” he asked.
While rejecting speculations about occurrence of any violence on part of participants of the sit-in, the JUI-F chief asserted that the gathering will stay peaceful in every situation. “We were peaceful and we will remain the same,” he resolved, questioning, “Why some elements are trying to portray us as a violent force?” He observed that the gathering is a representation of the whole country. “You all are representatives of all Pakistanis who could not attend this huge gathering due to whatever reasons,” he added. On the other hand, the government, while tightening the security arrangements, blocked the roads leading to the Red Zone. Around 9,000 police personnel have been deployed from Zero Point to Red Zone and tear gas canisters, shields and other items have been provided to them.
The district administration and police have blocked the Serena Chowk, Nadra Chowk, Express Chowk, Marriot and Bari Imam by parking containers filled with sand. Pakistan Army and Rangers have also been deployed at the sensitive buildings.
