Govt, opposition strike deal; ‘Azadi March’ to be held away from Islamabad’s Red Zone – Pakistan

The government and the opposition, after a previous stalemate, signed an agreement Saturday night by which the terms and conditions of the anti-government "March of Azadi" were noted.

The main event, which had remained at a point of conflict at the meeting held a day before between the two parties, was the agreement of a place. The protest, it was decided, will take place in the H-9 area of ​​Islamabad, on the grounds of the Sunday bazaar.

At a press conference, the head of the government negotiating committee, Defense Minister Pervez Khattak, reiterated Prime Minister Imran Khan's promise that the participants "will not see obstacles" from the government while the protest is peaceful.

Under the agreement, the government will not stand in the way of protesters and "neither will the participants face any difficulty in delivering food."

Participants may not venture far from the designated place. Another condition is that the responsibility for internal security lies with the organizers.

The organizers must submit to the Islamabad administration an affidavit in writing that guarantees that all conditions will be met.

In addition, it was described that in case of violation of the terms and conditions and damage to life or property, the relevant measures will be taken according to the law.

Earlier on Saturday night, the leader of the JUI-F and head of the Rehbar opposition Committee, Akram Khan Durrani, announced that participants of the "anti-government" Azadi March government "will not enter the Red Zone" of Islamabad.

"The 11 members of the committee agree on the fact that protesters will not enter the Red Zone," he said.

Durrani had said that the protest march "will not continue." "We will make more decisions when appropriate."

He had reiterated the demands of the party, namely the resignation of the prime minister, new elections, no interference from the military and the protection of clauses related to Islam within the Constitution.

He had also asked NAB to release all political prisoners.

He had rejected the ban on "Ansar-ul-Islam", the "militant" wing of JUI-F. "All parties have such wings and it is beyond my understanding why this was prohibited."

The leader of the JUI-F insisted that the march will be "peaceful" and asked the government "to open all roads and highways in the face of an existing threat to law and order in the country."

He had said that the caravans of protesters from the southern districts, as well as North and South Waziristan, will be personally led by him.

Durrani had expressed confidence that all the districts they passed through would receive a warm welcome to the protesters and said that the people of Peshawar, Nowshera and other southern areas will join the caravan.

He had said that Chitral caravans and adjacent areas will take the Karakoram highway.

& # 39; Azadi March & # 39; will start in Karachi tomorrow

The same JUI-F chief, Fazlur Rehman, "will head the Azadi March caravan in Karachi at 10 am on October 27," a statement issued by the party said Thursday.

The caravan will proceed to the Superhighway (M9) after small demonstrations depart from the six districts of the city and meet in Sohrab Goth, according to the statement.

The Azadi March will officially begin "after a speech by Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Sohrab Goth" to show solidarity with the people of Kashmir occupied by India, the party said in the statement.

The main leaders of JUI-F have been busy finalizing the arrangements, which largely include the hiring of buses and other vehicles. A senior party member said the number of buses had already crossed 400.

Currently, Sindh emerges as the only province where the JUI-F finds a favorable atmosphere to begin its journey to Islamabad after the remaining three "pro-center" provincial governments announced measures that do not seem promising for the opposition party of right.

According to a certificate of no objection (NOC) issued by the office of the deputy commissioner of the eastern part of Karachi, permission has been granted to the leader of the JUI-F, Maulana Fatehullah, for the party to conduct a concentration next to the Super Highway near the Total gasoline pump in Sohrab Goth.

Permission has been granted subject to the following conditions:

1. There are no secetarian speeches / objectionable activities that can create hatred between various sects.
2. No weapons, sticks or batons, or any item of that nature are shown.
3. The use of sound amplifying devices will be subject to the West Pakistan Amplifier Ordinance of 1965.
4. There is no obstruction of the road or inconvenience to the general public and traffic.
5. The organizer will be responsible for any damage or damage caused to any person or property during the event.
6. The organizer is solely responsible for any setbacks and will have to face the consequences.
7. The internal security of the program is the responsibility of the organizers.
8. The applicant will comply with the orders of the administration and other law enforcement agencies.
9. The organizer will be responsible for ensuring that deadlines are strictly adhered to and that the situation remains normal.
10. Violation of this permit will be seriously considered and action will be taken within the relevant laws.
11. The organizer will be responsible for the violation of the terms and conditions of the NOC.
12. Vehicles must be parked approximately 1km away from the site.
13. The organizer will organize walking through the doors.