Govt, opposition strike deal
Khattak says Rahbar Committee has not asked for PM’s resignation; Protest venue will be in H-9 area
Observer Report
Islamabad
Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak said on Saturday that an agreement had been reached between the government and Rahbar Committee according to which participants of the march will not enter D-Chowk.
Khattak was conducting a press conference with members of the committee and the government delegation by his side. He said that both sides had reached an understanding.
“Akram Durrani has assured me that participants of the march will not enter the Red Zone,” he said. “Whether it be a dharna or a jalsa, it should be peaceful.”
Khattak said that the Rahbar Committee had not asked for the prime minister’s resignation neither had it put forth the demand for elections.
The foremost development, which had remained a sticking point in the meeting held a day earlier between the two sides, was the agreement of a venue. The protest, it was decided, will be held in Islamabad’s H-9 area, in the Sunday bazaar grounds.
In a press conference, the head of the government’s negotiation committee, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak reiterated Prime Minister Imran Khan’s promise that the participants will “see no obstacles” from the government as long as the protest is peaceful. Earlier on Saturday evening, JUI-F leader and head of the opposition Rehbar Committee Akram Khan Durrani had announced that the participants of the anti-government ‘Azadi March’ “will not enter the Red Zone” of Islamabad.
“All 11 of the committee’s members are in agreement over the fact that the protesters will not enter the Red Zone,” he had said. Durrani had said the protest march will “not be prolonged”. “We will make further decisions as and when appropriate.”
He had reiterated the party’s demands, namely, the prime minister’s resignation, fresh elections, no interference from the military, and the protection of clauses pertaining to Islam within the Constitution.
He had also called for NAB to release all political prisoners.
He had rejected the ban on ‘Ansar-ul-Islam’, the “militant” wing of the JUI-F. “All parties have such wings and it is beyond my understanding why this one was banned.” The JUI-F leader had insisted that the march will be “peaceful” and called on the government “to open all pathways and roads in the face of an existing threat to the law and order in the country”.He had said that the caravans of protesters from the southern districts as well as North and South Waziristan will be personally led by him. Durrani had expressed confidence that the marchers will be given a warm welcome by all districts that they pass through and said that people from Peshawar, Nowshera and other southern areas will join the caravan. He had said that caravans from Chitral and the adjoining areas will take the Karakoram Highway.
JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman himself will “lead the Azadi March caravan in Karachi at 10am on October 27”, a statement issued by the party on Thursday had said.
The permission has been granted subject to the following conditions:
1) No secetarian speeches/objectionable activity which can create hatred among various sects.
2) No display of arms, sticks, or batons, or any article of such nature.
3) Use of sound amplifying devices will be subject to the West Pakistan Amplifier Ordinance 1965.
40 No road obstruction or disturbance to the general public and traffic.
5) The organiser will be responsible for any harm or damage caused to any person or property during the event.
6) The organiser is solely responsible for any mishap and will have to face the consequences.
7) The internal security of the programme is the responsibility of the organisers.
8) The applicant will abide by the orders of the administration and other law enforcing agencies.
9) The organiser shall be responsible for ensuring timings are strictly adhered to and that the situation remains normal.
10) The violation of this permit shall be seriously viewed and action taken within the relevant laws.
11) The organiser will be held responsible for the violation of the terms and conditions of the NOC.
12) Vehicles will have to be parked approximately 1km away from the venue and the organiser will arrange walk through gates.
