Exactly one week after the assassination attempt on Imran Khan brought it to a halt, PTI’s ‘Haqeeqi Azadi March’ resumed its progress towards Islamabad today (Thursday) at the same location from where it was suspended. However, Imran Khan will not lead the march in person as he continues to recover from the injuries sustained in the attempted assassination that left one dead and multiple injured.
PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry, speaking to the media in Lahore Thursday, confirmed that Shah Mahmood Qureshi would lead the march from Wazirabad at 1pm.
Party sources said that Qureshi and other leaders will address the march at Kachehri Chowk in Wazirabad, where Imran Khan is also expected to address via video link. Fawad confirmed that Imran will address supporters at 4pm.
After stopping overnight in Wazirabad, the march will resume its progress from Gujrat on to Rawalpindi on Wednesday. Fawad said that Imran would welcome the marchers in Rawalpindi.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Imran Khan restarted the long march because he did not bow down to fear even after being shot. “Imran Khan left with a smile on his face despite the injury,” Qureshi told marchers.
While a bullet proof cabin has been installed on top of the container, Qureshi did not use it as he addressed the protestors. Addressing those who were behind the attack on Imran Khan, Qureshi said, “We had two choices, either stand behind behind bulletproof glass or to risk our life and look you in the eye.”
Addressing the crowd, Hammad Azhar said that the attack had been aimed at scaring PTI, but it had not worked. “They (who attacked Imran Khan) will have to be brought to justice,” he said.Azam Swati told protesters that izzat and zillat is in the hands of God. “We are with Imran Khan for every step of the way,” he said.
On Sunday, the PTI chief had told reporters that the march would begin from the same place that it began, and he would join it himself in 10-14 days. He also issued a special message via Twitter to invite people to participate in the March.
Asad Umar will also lead workers from Rawalpindi from a different route. Beginning in Toba Tek Singh, this section of the march will make its way through Faisalabad, Jhang and Chiniot to reach Rawalpindi.
Punjab government has issued special instructions to ensure ‘fool-proof’ security for the march. A bullet proof rostrum will be installed on the container and only authorized party leaders, whose names will be provided to security officials in a list, will be allowed on top of it.
A police control room will stay active, and camera-drones will be used to monitor the processions on both routes. Security officials have also been instructed to stay in close contact with district level party leaders along the march’s routes.
Commandoes will be posted on buildings around the routes of the march. Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Asad Umar will be escorted to the march by sepcial security squads.
Taking to Twitter on Wednesday, Imran Khan said he will reveal the name of another person on Thursday who was ‘monitoring the execution’ the attack on his life. He has already blamed Shahbaz Sharif, Rana Sanaullah, and an army officer for the attack, although their names were not included in the FIR of the incident.
Aaj TV also reported that Imran Khan’s sons Qasim and Suleman reached Lahore on Thursday. They were brought to Zaman Park under high security, the same security that is normally reserved for Imran Khan.
