Road to Islamabad

Protesters arrive in large numbers in a convoy led by PTI Sindh leaders to take part in the long march towards Islamabad

Sukkur: When Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan announced the Real Azadi Long March against the current government, PTI workers across the country responded by preparing to participate. People from Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) were expected to participate in greater numbers, while Sindh and Balochistan were expected to participate less.

The reason for this was made clear by PTI Sindh leaders at the start of the long march, in a convoy led by Provincial President Ali Zaidi, PTI Sindh General Secretary Mubeen Jatoi, and former Sindh Governor Imran Ismail. The march began on October 31 at Karachi Toll Plaza and travelled to Sukkur via Hyderabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Naushahro Feroze, and Khairpur, with the convoy participants staying overnight at Sukkur.

While there were male workers in this convoy, there were also a large number of female officials and workers. The accommodations were well-planned, and the caravan participants were served breakfast and dinner later that day. On November 1, Ali Zaidi and other provincial leaders stayed at Insaaf House. Ali Zaidi, Mubeen Jatoi, and Imran Ismail also spoke at a press conference before leaving Sukkur for Punjab.

“We were having trouble getting them there. We did our best to provide transportation for the workers, but workers from Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, and Ghotki district arrived in greater numbers than expected. We made every effort to take people on this long march, but a large number of workers are still waiting for us to take them to Islamabad. We don’t have enough vehicles to transport everyone on the long march,” the party’s provincial leaders stated.

During the press conference, PTI leaders warned Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah not to take any action that would fall on his neck and to which he would be unable to respond, saying “They have stated that they will shell and teach the long marchers a lesson. We want to show them that it is our right to protest and to stage a long march. When we were in power, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam organised two large marches. Protest marches were also held by the Pakistan People’s Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.”

“Our government did not intervene, but when the workers of Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman were suffering from severe cold in Islamabad, they were given firewood so that they could light a fire and keep warm. Food and drinks were also delivered so that JUI employees would not go hungry or thirsty,” the PTI leaders continued.

They also claimed that, while they had saved them from a difficult situation, the incumbent government hurling threats, adding, “We will not be intimidated by the government’s threats. We have come out with Imran Khan to save this country and will fight until the end. If the government makes a mistake, the rulers will be held accountable.”

In an exclusive interview with Bol News, PTI Provincial General Secretary Mubeen Jatoi stated that the imported government is attempting to prove that the PTI is anti-Pakistan Armed Forces, which is not the case.

“We pray for the safety of these soldiers, who are our brothers and sons. We love and care for them as much as any patriotic Pakistani does. We are proud of our Pakistani forces, and they are indeed our pride,” he noted.

Furthermore, he added, “Our conflict is with these imported rulers who have been found guilty by the courts and have risen to power while being slaves to America. Our true freedom march is against these thieving rulers who spread poisonous propaganda. Our leader, Imran Khan, said nothing negative about the Pakistan Army. In fact, during the march, Indian rulers were advised not to interfere in Pakistani politics, which demonstrates that the PTI will not tolerate any propaganda or anyone speaking against Pakistani forces.”

Many female leaders from Karachi and the rest of Sindh were also present in the PTI-Sindh convoy. In an interview with Bol News, PTI Karachi Women Wing President Fiza Zeeshan, PTI Mother Wing Cantonment Board Clifton Karachi General Secretary Rasha Tariq, PTI Sukkur Division President Safia Baloch, Qamber Shahdad Kot President Naheed Khawar, and Shaheed Benazirabad President Hameeda Masood Shah said that if Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah is so keen that he will stop their protest by force, he is welcome to try.

“We have arrived to liberate Pakistan from the imported government. Even today, we support Imran Khan. Our forefathers built this country, and it is now our duty to protect it from thieves and robbers. We hope that our struggle is successful,” they asserted.

Rasha Tariq, General Secretary of the PTI Mother Wing Cantonment Board in Clifton Karachi, also clarified, “It will not happen if anyone thinks they can scare us away. We will fight these thieves until the bitter end. And we will only return by sending them home.”