PESHAWAR: A rally of Awami National Party (ANP) has left for Islamabad on Tuesday morning to join the anti-government “long march” of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
The ANP Provincial President Aimal Wali Khan was leading the rally while Secretary General Mian Iftikhar Hussain and other central and provincial leaders were also present on the occasion. The PPP has dubbed its long march “inflation march”, claiming that under the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government Pakistan is reeling under ‘record’ inflation, unemployment and economic crisis.
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Talking to media before departure, Aimal Wali Khan said that “inflation march” is starting from Peshawar and processions from other KP districts will be part of the main convoy on the motorway. He said that the ANP will hold a joint rally with PPP in Islamabad. The caravan from Charsadda district will join the main rally at Charsadda Toll Plaza. According to the spokesperson of Awami National Party, all preparations have been completed and various responsibilities have been assigned to the workers and officials in this regard.
The ANP has joined the PPP on its request of its senior leadership who visited Bacha Khan Markaz, last month.
Earlier, the Islamabad administration granted permission to PPP to hold a rally at D-Chowk but urged the party to keep it as peaceful as possible. The administration has warned that the party will be responsible for any damage to private and government properties during the anti-government protest rally. The Pakistan Democratic Movement central leadership will also attend the rally. Reports said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders including Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Ahsan Iqbal and Maryam Aurangzeb will also attend the anti-government rally.
Islamabad administration has closed D-Chowk from all three sides with containers. The road leading to Parliament and Shahra-e-Dastoor has been closed, leaving only Jinnah Avenue open for entry to D-Chowk.