Shipping containers have been used to block major roads around the capital. Photo: AFP
Source:
https://scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3035817/thousands-islamists-converge-pakistan-capital-aiming-unseat South Asia
Thousands of Islamists converge on Pakistan capital aiming to unseat government
- The ‘Azadi (Freedom) March’ is led by Prime Minister Imran Khan’s long-time rival, who heads one of the country’s largest Islamist parties
- The march represents the first major challenge to Khan’s government as his administration battles rising public anger over a faltering economy
Supporters of the Islamist Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party wave flags atop a vehicle as they take part in the march. Photo: AFP
Schools were closed and entry points to Islamabad sealed off on Thursday as thousands of Islamist protesters aiming to unseat the government converged on the Pakistan capital.
Police and paramilitary troops used shipping containers to block several major traffic arteries between the capital and the neighbouring city of Rawalpindi ahead of the march, causing traffic jams and frustrating commuters.
“The main entry points were closed to ensure the safety of the citizens and government offices,” Islamabad police spokesperson Zia Bajwa said, adding that a 17,000-strong force was overseeing security in the capital.
The “Azadi (Freedom) March” is led by Prime Minister Imran Khan’s long-time rival Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who heads the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), one of the country’s largest Islamist parties.
The march represents the first major challenge to Khan’s government as his administration battles rising public anger over a faltering economy and double-digit inflation.
Supporters of the Islamist Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) party wave flags atop a vehicle. Photo: AFP
Rehman and thousands of supporters departed Jhelum district – some 126km (78 miles) east of the capital Islamabad – earlier on Thursday, party spokesman Abdul Jalil Jan said.
A second group was expected to leave from the northwestern city of Peshawar en route to the capital, where the two convoys would converge late on Thursday evening.
JUI-F said Rehman would then oversee Friday prayers with the protesters before launching a demonstration in the capital.
Pakistani cleric Maulana Fazlur Rehman, centre left, head of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party. Photo: AP
The cleric insists that Khan needs to be removed from office, and a new “free and fair” election held.
However, the group has remained vague about what tactics they plan to use.
Ahead of the march, social media users panned Rehman and his followers over their refusal to allow women to participate, questioning their commitment to democratic principles.
“Looking at the ‘Azadi March’ from afar, one thing is clear to me. In the democracy that Maulana sahib is [fighting] for, women would have no place,” said Marvi Sirmad on Twitter.
“Ask yourselves dear democrats, do we want THIS?”