PESHAWAR: The preparations by both the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz to show strength on August 14 in the provincial reached peak as a group of the PTI workers moved on foot towards Islamabad, while the PML-N saw off the ‘Azadi Train’ at the cantonment railway station for Karachi on Wednesday.

It was observed that during the last some days, several meetings, processions and car and motorcycle rallies were held in different parts of the city by the two parties to motivate workers for their scheduled events.

The PML-N has planned to hold several events to celebrate the Independence Day.

On Wednesday, both PTI marchers and Azadi Train participants left Peshawar almost at the same time in the morning, where leaders of the two parties criticised each others and claimed they were loyal to the country and would emerge successful.

Peshawar to see I-Day functions, departure of Azadi March

Speaking as the chief guest at the cantonment railway station, PML-N Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Pir Sabir Shah asked Imran Khan not to play the politics of ‘no dialogue’ as such things had never succeeded in the past and that the only way to resolve issues was talks.

He said the toppling of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for his party was a very minor issue but his party did not want to please the anti-state elements.

Shah said the country had been put on the track of development and that it was time that the problems like extortion, bloodshed, price hike, energy crisis and lawlessness should be addressed once and for all.

He said it was the duty of all peace loving people to join hands for solution to the problems.

The PML-N leader said his party had got a heavy mandate in the last general elections and that other parties, including the PTI, had failed to reach the power corridors in the centre and therefore, the defeated parties should wait till next elections.He said on one hand the Pak Army was fighting for restoration of peace but on the other, Imran and some others were bent upon disintegrating the country, which could not succeed in their designs.

Similarly, a group of PTI workers led by MNA Sajid Nawaz opted to start the long march on foot from Jinnah Park Peshawar.

“We have taken the lead and our workers are determined to reach Islamabad walking the entire way no matter what befalls us,” the lawmaker said before starting his journey.

He said the participants had all the necessary equipments with them and they would stay in Islamabad until the PTI’s demands were accepted.

PTI’s provincial secretary general Khalid Masood said the long march was the beginning of a new Pakistan and this was the happiest moment for the party’s workers.

He expressed the hope that the rally participants going to Islamabad on foot would not only mobilise people on their way but would also prove that the party’s workers were ready to take any hardships to achieve their goals.

Meanwhile, the Insaf Coordination Council held a motorcycle and motorcar rally which started from Hayatabad and ended on University Road.

Dr Nadeem Alam, Farzana Zain, Murtaza Hussain, Amjad Orakzai and other leaders led the rally.

Also in the day, Awami Jamhoori Ittehad Party (AJIP) President Shahram Tarakai named leaders of his party, who would lead the Azadi March processions from different districts.

He asked Nawaz Sharif to accept PTI’s demands otherwise workers of PTI and AJIP would protest.

Meanwhile, the Insaf Lawyers Forum, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa announced its members would participate in the Azadi March with full strength.

During a meeting of the forum, participants vowed to follow Imran Khan’s policies for the welfare of the people, rule of law, provision of easy justice and against corruption in the country.

Meanwhile, the PTI Azadi March will leave Peshawar for Islamabad today (Thursday) at 3pm.

“The rally will be headed by central additional general secretary of the party Saifullah Khan Niazi from Peshawar Interchange,” central additional secretary general and chief organiser of ‘Azadi March’ Saifullah Niazi told reporters after leading a rally in Peshawar on Wednesday.

He said the march would take place no matter what obstacles were placed in the way.

“I will personally lead the rally with hundreds of thousands of workers,” he said.

The rally began at Hasthnagri, where workers in cars and motorbikes took part in large numbers.

Passing through Peshawar city, Saddar and University Road, the rally ended at Hayatabad.

Workers held posters and banners with pictures of Imran Khan.

Niazi said PTI workers from Mardan, Hazara and Malakand would join the main rally as it passed through the regions.

Published in Dawn, Aug 14th, 2014