Government decides to grant JUI-F conditional permission for Azadi March

ISLAMABAD, October 23: A seven-member committee, formed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government for negotiation on Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl’s (JUI-F) Azadi March, on Wednesday held meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan and briefed him over talks with opposition parties.
During the meeting, the team headed by Perveiz Khattak and comprising National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, Speaker Punjab Assembly Pervaiz Elahi, PTI leader Asad Umer, Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood, and Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri took the premier into confidence over its discussion with the Rahbar Committee.
The premier said that JUI-F will be conditionally allowed to hold protest in Islamabad if it cooperates with the interior ministry for implementation of Islamabad and Lahore high court’s decisions regarding sit-ins in the federal capital. He also directed the team to continue negotiation with opposition parties.
Meanwhile, Perveiz Khattak assured the PM that he will try to convince opposition before October 27.
The members said the government recognizes opposition’s right to peaceful protest but the march towards federal capital is inappropriate in the current situation of the country, adding that the federation is serious about resolving issues through dialogue.
On the other hand, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani was tasked to contact Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari whereas Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi will himself approach JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman had announced that his party’s anti-government Azadi March to Islamabad will take place on October 31 instead of October 27.
“We have decided to enter Islamabad on October 31,” he said, adding that marchers will express solidarity with Kashmiris on Oct 27 and then leave for the federal capital. “People from all over the country will enter Islamabad at the same time, he told.
Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman said he will announce the next plan of action himself after reaching Islamabad. – Agencies