Lahore: As expected by many, former Prime Minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan kicked off his long march towards Islamabad from Liberty Chowk, Lahore, with a fiery speech.
Flanked by many senior PTI leaders including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Asad Umar, and Shafqat Mehmood, Imran Khan said that his march was not for politics or personal interest but to free the nation.
“Its only aim is to free my nation and turn Pakistan into a free country,” said Khan.
“I want free and fair elections. I want the people to decide who will lead the country — not Washington, America or anyone else,” Imran added.
“DG ISI, listen carefully, the things I know, I am staying silent for my institutions and the country. I don’t want to damage my country,” the PTI chief said as the crowd cheered.
Imran said that he wanted to see a Pakistan that was free and for that, a powerful army was needed.
“DG ISI, when we criticise [the institutions], it is constructive and for your betterment. I am saying this again, I can say a lot and can respond to you. But I don’t want the institutions to get weak,” he asserted.
The former prime minister also countered that he never made any unconstitutional demands during “backdoor contacts”.
Route of long march
According to PTI’s official Twitter message, starting from Liberty Chowk today (Friday), the long march will pass through the Ferozepur Road, Icchra, Azadi Chowk, Mozang, and the Data Darbar side. Then, it will move towards Muridke.
As confirmed earlier by senior PTI leader Asad Umar, the long march is expected to enter Islamabad on November 4 after passing through Kamonki, Gujranwala, Daska, Sumbrial, Lala Musa, Khariyan, Gujjar Khan and Rawalpindi.
This one will be Imran Khan’s second long march against the incumbent government after the former was ousted from the PM office in April this year.
Imran’s message
In a special message on Thursday, PTI Chairman Imran Khan urged everyone to participate in the long march, adding that the march was not for “personal or political” interests but to attain actual freedom for the country. He said the march’s purpose was to ensure that the country’s decisions were made inside it instead of by “foreign puppets”.
چیئرمین عمران خان کا حقیقی آزادی مارچ کے حوالے سے خصوصی پیغام #WeTrustImranKhan pic.twitter.com/bAcQ0fs0AJ
— PTI (@PTIofficial) October 27, 2022
Live Updates
(03:30 pm, October 28) — Imran Khan begins the long march with a fiery speech
Flanked by many senior PTI leaders including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Asad Umar, and Shafqat Mehmood, Imran Khan said that his march was not for politics or personal interest but to free the nation.
“Its only aim is to free my nation and turn Pakistan into a free country,” said Khan.
“I want free and fair elections. I want the people to decide who will lead the country — not Washington, America or anyone else,” Imran added.
(03:20 pm, October 28) — Imran Khan arrives at Liberty Chowk
چیئرمین عمران خان لبرٹی چوک پہنچ گئے۔
#حقیقی_آزادی_لانگ_مارچ pic.twitter.com/Gw5lvscMq3
— PTI (@PTIofficial) October 28, 2022
(03:00 pm, October 28) — Imran Khan leaves for Liberty Chowk
Chairman PTI @ImranKhanPTI has departed for Liberty Chowk! #حقیقی_آزادی_لانگ_مارچ pic.twitter.com/UoUhqx1Ctv
— PTI (@PTIofficial) October 28, 2022
(01:57 pm, October 28) — Imran Khan’s container reached Liberty Chowk, Lahore.
عمران خان کا اپنا کنٹینر لاہور لبرٹی چوک پہنچ گیا- #حقیقی_آزادی_لانگ_مارچ pic.twitter.com/sot8lFXJv2
— PTI (@PTIofficial) October 28, 2022
(12:30 pm, October 28) — Dedicating long march to Arshad Sharif: PTI
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has dedicated the long march (Haqeeqi Azaadi March) to the slain journalist Arshad Sharif.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, PTI leaders Fawad Chaudhry and Asad Umar said that Imran Khan was the only leader who could bring about “much-needed” change in the country.
“You should take part in this march even if you do not belong to the PTI. Nation must reject decisions that are taken behind the closed doors,” Fawad told the presser, adding Imran will leave Zaman Park in some time and will reach Liberty Chowk.
(12:00 pm, October 28) — Workers at Liberty Chowk
PTI workers started arriving at Liberty Chowk where PTI Chairman Imran Khan is expected to address the rally before its start.
PTI leaders leave for Liberty Chowk
Leading PTI workers from their constituencies, senior PTI leaders started leaving for Liberty Chowk.
#حقیقی_آزادی_لانگ_مارچ pic.twitter.com/cXDpl2HaLX
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) October 28, 2022
Leaving for liberty chowk from my constituency. pic.twitter.com/FSxMJV7PAF
— Hammad Azhar (@Hammad_Azhar) October 28, 2022
لبرٹی چوک کی طرف گامزن۔ pic.twitter.com/CRv8XLIOzB
— Hammad Azhar (@Hammad_Azhar) October 28, 2022
The Iron lady Dr.Yasmeen Rashid is ready for Haqiqi Azadi long March. #حقیقی_آزادی_مارچ pic.twitter.com/fRDrMCv2zK
— PTI Rawalpindi (@PTIOfficialRWP) October 28, 2022
(11:00 am, October 28) — Won’t allow any mob to attack Islamabad: warns Rana Sanaullah
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Friday vowed that the government will not allow any mob to attack Islamabad.
“If mob culture is developed, then where will democracy and state [go],” said Sanaullah while talking to the media outside Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi bench. The Supreme Court has ruled on long marches and sit-ins, he added
(10:38 am, October 28) — Come out today with Imran Khan to change the system of Pakistan: Fawad Chaudhry
Senior PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry urged the people of Lahore to come out on the streets with former prime minister Imran Khan to “change the system of Pakistan”.
“If you don’t become a part of it [Haqeeqi Azaadi March] today, then you should not care about this system, if you want to change this system, leave your home, otherwise the lives of children It will pass through the rotten system,” he said.
لاہور والو! آج عمران خان کے ساتھ پاکستان کا نظام بدلنے کیلئے نکلو، اگر آج آپ اس #حقیقی_آزادی_مارچ کا حصہ نہیں بنتے تو آپ کو اس نظام دے کوئ گلہ نہیں ہونا چاہئے اگر اس نظام کو بدلنا چاہتے ہو تو گھر سے نکلو ورنہ بچوں کی زندگیاں بھی اسی گلے سڑے نظام میں گزریں گی
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) October 28, 2022
