On a day the country marks its Independence Day, the two groups, led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and Canada-based cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri, plan to converge on Islamabad to press Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to call an early election little over a year after his landslide victory in the polls.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Khan initiated his ‘Azadi March’ from Zaman Park, Lahore, while Qadri launched his ‘Inqelab March’ (revolution march) from the Model Town area of the city.
Both of them, though not officially allied, are calling for the ouster of the government that they condemn as corrupt.
Khan’s protestors, including women and children, were first to leave from his residence as government removed roadblocks, allowing the demonstrators to hold a ‘peaceful march’.
‘Join this march not for me but for sake of your children and if you want real independence in Pakistan,’ Khan said in his brief address at start of protest march.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Khan initiated his ‘Azadi March’ from Zaman Park, Lahore, while Qadri launched his ‘Inqelab March’ (revolution march) from the Model Town area of the city.
Both of them, though not officially allied, are calling for the ouster of the government that they condemn as corrupt.
Khan’s protestors, including women and children, were first to leave from his residence as government removed roadblocks, allowing the demonstrators to hold a ‘peaceful march’.
‘Join this march not for me but for sake of your children and if you want real independence in Pakistan,’ Khan said in his brief address at start of protest march.