Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) set out on a ‘long march’ or ‘Awami March’ from Karachi to Islamabad on Sunday, sending clear signals to the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) that it is time for a ‘war’, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was leading the marchers from the Quaid’s mausoleum in his container, which is accompanied by a truck fitted with loudspeakers.
Bilawal Bhutto said it was time to send the ‘selected’ Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government home. Addressing the party workers at the Quaid’s mausoleum in Karachi prior to the start of the long march towards Islamabad, he accused Prime Minister Imran Khan and his team of not only stealing the general elections held in 2018 from the PPP and other opposition parties but also looting the people. “This man (Imran Khan) has made a mockery of ‘democracy’ and destroyed the country’s economy,” Bilawal said, and added, “We will protect the rights of each and every Pakistani. After reaching Islamabad, we will attack the government.”
The PPP’s caravan reached Badin at night passing through different areas like Mro Sajawal where Bilawal Bhutto addressed the workers.
Bilawal in Badin
Bilawal addressed the gathering in Badin and said he will give the right to Badin after coming in power.
The PPP chairman said now it is the time for the Prime Minister to panic as people have come in the streets against inflation.
He said he was talking about the economic development of farmers but a puppet minister has come out to defend the PM.
Bilawal in Sajawal
After reaching Sajawal, Bilawal addressed the charged workers that PM Imran should resign himself otherwise the participants of the long march will make a democratic and parliamentary attack on him.
Bilawal said they cannot give any chance to the rulers to stay in power anymore and will accountable PM Imran Khan for inflation and unemployment.
Bilawal in Moro
Bilawal in Addressing the mob at Gharo, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said if fair and transparent elections are held then his party will form the government.
Bilawal announced that the PPP will provide employment to the people in Pakistan Steel Mills and will also run the economy of the country from the same mills.
He said he will get right of every province, adding that time to table a no-confidence motion in the house has been reached.
The PPP's Long March has entered the territory of Thatta where enthusiasm among the workers erupted with the party slogans.
Bilawal will stay at night in Moro city in Sindh tomorrow (28 February) and address the locals the next morning. Reception camps have been set up at various places in Moro for the long march.
Bilawal's Security and Container
A bus, carrying the personnel of the Special Security Unit, has also left with the PPP chairman while the party workers, on the other hand, have started gathering at different places of the Sindh capital such as Korangi, Landhi, Civic Center, Lyari, Kemari and are dancing to songs to show their enthusiasm.
It is worth mentioning here that the container Bilawal was travelling in is the same container in which his mother, late prime minister Benazir Bhutto (BB) had moved in a procession after landing at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport on October 18, 2007.
And that was the same homecoming procession of BB which became the target of twin blasts in Karsaz area of the city, and in which around 200 people had lost their lives.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah met with Bilawal early in the morning and briefed him about the arrangements made for the march.
No change in march’s schedule
Meanwhile, a statement released from the Bilawal House has rejected reports that there is a change in the march’s schedule.
The statement makes it clear that the march will go ahead as planned.
Karachi police issue security plan
In view of the security situation, Karachi police has issued a plan in which the PPP leaders and workers have been asked to exercise caution.
The marchers will pass through 23 districts and 37 cities and eventually reach Islamabad on March 8 after covering the distance of 1, 600 kilometers.
Reporters: Azad Nehryo, Muhammad Kamran, Iqtidar Anwar, Hassan Abbas, Junaid Feroze, Irfan Abbasi, Shahryar Jokhio, Syed Gul Shah