AZADI MARCH LIVE UPDATES:
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman lashed out at Prime Minister Imran during his Azadi March speech on Sunday.
“Keep sitting on the chair, this nation doesn’t recognise you as its ruler,” he said to the prime minister.
Fazl said that the government was reminding him about following the court’s decision.
“I want to ask you, how many judicial verdicts did you respect,” he asked.
Fazl said that the incumbent government was afraid of his Azadi March. He said that his marchers had reduced the government’s mountain of ego to dust.
“The Azadi March has reduced their [government] mountain of debt to dust,” he said.
Fazl said that this was not the way the country could be run. The JUI-F chief said that Pakistan could only be run in accordance with the law and constitution.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman lashed out at the government in his latest speech, on Friday, at the H-9 venue.
"When he [Prime Minister Imran] went to the United States, he wasn't even received by a schoolteacher," he said.
Fazl said that Pakistan had even upset China. He lashed out at the government for alleging that foreign loans had been used by politicians in money laundering and corruption.
"He even abused us and the country in his US jalsa," said Fazl, referring to the Prime Minister's address during his first official visit to the US.
The JUI-F chief said that Prime Minister Imran's politics was based on just one word and that was calling others thieves.
Fazl also lashed out at the government's negotiating committee, saying that they did not have the capability to understand the opposition's demands.
"They don't have the capability to understand our demands or convey them to the government," he said. "Which is why I tell them to bring me the prime minister's resignation."
The JUI-F chief criticised the legislation that was done on Thursday in the parliament, when a record number of 13 ordinances were approved in an hour-and-a-half.
"Fake ordinances through fake representatives is not acceptable," said Fazl.
He said that the armed forces of the country had established peace in the country by giving tremendous sacrifices.
"This peace could not have established without our cooperation," he said.
Fazl said that if the nation was against those who picked up arms in the name of religion, then Prime Minister Imran was a 'Qabza Group' and he should also be opposed.
Fazl addressed the marchers late on Friday, where he said that his party believes in constitutional supremacy.
“I said it yesterday as well that the negotiation committee (government’s) keeps on visiting. Neither do they have the capacity to understand our stance nor do they make the government understand, which is why I asked them to bring the resignation.”
"When he [Prime Minister Imran] went to the United States, he wasn't even received by a schoolteacher," he said.
Fazl said that Pakistan had even upset China. He lashed out at the government for alleging that foreign loans had been used by politicians in money laundering and corruption.
"He even abused us and the country in his US jalsa," said Fazl, referring to the Prime Minister's address during his first official visit to the US.
The JUI-F chief said that Prime Minister Imran's politics was based on just one word and that was calling others thieves.
Speaker Punjab Assembly Ch Pervez Elahi will convey a special message of Prime Minister Imran Khan to JUI-F Ameer Maulana Fazlur Rehman later today regarding ongoing Azadi March.
The all-important meeting between the JUI-F chief and PML-Q leader is taking place after the government negotiating team's briefing to the premier.
The government negotiating team met with Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday and briefed him on the progress made in talks with the opposition’s Rahbar Committee.
According to sources, the senior politicians belonging to the ruling coalition are discussing the conditions put forward by the opposition parties.
"There is talk of resignation again and again," PM Imran was quoted as saying in the meeting.
If resignation is the only demand then there is no need for negotiations, he further said.
Opinion: Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s style of politics
Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak, while addressing the National Assembly on Friday, responded to Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s statement that negotiations with the government were not taking place and they were just passing time.
“If his Jirga is for time pass then we are also doing time pass with you,” the minister hit back.
“I want to show your face to the people of Pakistan,” said Khattak, who is leading the government negotiating team.
He said that the country has been ruined in the name of democracy.
Moreover, PML-N leader Khawaja Asif claimed that Pervaiz Khattak did not have the guts to present Maulana Fazl’s demand to Prime Minister Imran Khan.
He added that PML-Q leader Pervaiz Elahi informed him that he told the protesters' demand to the PM.
JUI-F’s Maulana Asad Mehmood on Friday threw down the gauntlet and accepted Ali Amin Gandapur’s challenge to face off each other in an election.
In his address to the NA, Asad Mehmood said, “I will resign, Ali Amin you resign as well let’s contest in an election.” He dared Ali Amin to not to back from his statement and face him in an election.
To this the minister Kashmir affairs and Gilgit Baltistan said he is ready to face him off in the election if Maulana Fazlur Rehman ends his sit-in.
Maulana Fazl addressed the Azadi March participants, saying that the opposition leaders do not want NRO from Imran Khan, instead they will not give it to him and his government.
He said that PM Imran himself hid the money laundering by his sister through an amnesty scheme and now he speaks of granting NRO concessions.
The opposition-led Rahbar Committee held a press conference today after a session. Addressing media, Akram Durrani said that all the political parties have unanimously decided to increase pressure on the government.
“The Azadi March will take a new direction after two days,” said Durrani, adding that the committee is mulling over three recommendations.
He further said that the workers are determined, even willing to stay up to three months.
Pakistan People’s Party leader Farhatullah Babar said that the opposition is putting the government under pressure, calling it ‘the first phase’.
Prime Minister Imran Khan told PTI lawmakers not to worry about the Azadi March sit-in protest, in a meeting that took place on Thursday.
"The issue [dharna] will be solved through reconciliation," Prime Minister Imran was quoted as saying. The prime minister urged the PTI parliamentarians to support him against rising inflation in the country. “We will bring hoarders to the book,” he said. "Pakistan is going through artificial inflation because of these hoarders," he added.
Day 12: No talks taking place, just passing time: Faz
Day 11: Govt not be given even a single day, says Fazlur Rehman
Day 10: Second round of govt-opposition talks end in deadlock
Day 09: ‘At least PM's resignation, at most assemblies’ dissolution’
Day 8: Joint opposition to decide future course of action
Day 7: Govt-opp deadlock deepens
Day 6: Fazl gives PM two days to quit
Day 4: March a movement for reforms not a sit-in, says Fazl
Day 3: Govt has dual policy on Kashmir, claims Fazl
Day 2: Battle lines are drawn, warns Fazl
Day 1: Azadi March kicks off from Karachi
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