Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazalur Rehman has said that 'Azadi March' is the voice of every oppressed person in Pakistan. He was addressing a mammoth gathering at Lahore's Azadi Chowk on Wednesday before leaving for the capital city. He said, "Azadi March represents members from all walks of life and they have great expectations". The march has now taken the form of a national movement.

The JUI-F chief also prayed for early recovery of PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari. "It is my ardent desire to see them released from jails and be among the people. This drama of political victimization must end now. This country has no more room for such dramas," he said alluding to government's anti-corruption drive which saw the aforementioned leaders sentenced to jail.

He also praised his party workers for proving themselves peaceful citizens during the march. "The present rulers are fake and Imran Khan should resign before Azadi March reaches Islamabad," he said. "The nation is united for his resignation."

Addressing the marchers at Yateem Khana Chowk, he said the premier still has time to respectfully submit his resignation, adding they would not give him any further time to do so. Maulana thanked people of the city for welcoming them with open hearts. He also thanked all parties and party workers for coming out for the march. Earlier, a JUI Committee and the federal government had reached an agreement according to which the opposition agreed not to cross into the Red Zone.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019