Govt decides to allow JUI-F’s ‘Azadi March’ in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The government on Wednesday decided to allow Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) and other opposition parties from holding the ‘Azadi March’ protest in Islamabad, said a government spokesman.

The spokesman said opposition will have permission to hold the protest as long as it remains within the parameters of the constitution and the law.

The decision was made after a team delegated to negotiating with the opposition presented its recommendations to the prime minister.

“It was decided that the Government, with its firm belief in upholding democratic ideals, would allow the proposed ‘Azadi March’, if it takes place within the ambit of law and the Constitution as interpreted in the decisions of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and Islamabad High Court,” a brief statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Prime Minister Imran Khan presided over a meeting of the committee set up to persuade the JUI-F to cancel the march. The issue was also reportedly discussed in the federal cabinet meeting president by the prime minister on Tuesday. The prime minister was quoted as saying that the government believes in democratic norms

The protesters would be allowed to carry out the march as long as everyday life of citizens is not adversely affected, as outlined by past judgments of the Supreme Court and Islamabad High Court.

Earlier, it was reported that the Islamabad police was issuing riot gear and placing containers to cordon off sensitive areas of the capital city to prevent protesters from marching on to the Red Zone.