Mega Pak protest demanding Imran Khan's removal for 'rigged elections'

An influential Pakistani cleric, who is leading a demonstration against PM of Pakistan Imran Khan, arrived in Islamabad on Friday to hold a mammoth protest rally, demanding the premier to step down. Right-wing Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman launched the Azadi March along with leaders of other opposition parties on October 27 from the southern Sindh province, demanding Khan's resignation, accusing him of "rigging" the 2018 general elections.

He also accused Pakistan PM of mismanagement of economy, inefficiency and bad governance that has increased the hardships of common people. Rehman was scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on October 31. However, it was delayed as his caravan of hundreds of vehicles made slow progress, JUI-F leaders said. The cleric traveled through Sukkur, Multan, Lahore, and Gujranwala to reach Islamabad in the wee hours of Friday. 

READ| Pakistan: PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto slams "dictator" Imran Khan

"The person (Prime Minister Imran Khan) has come to power through the rigging of elections. He should see the writing on the wall and resign or we will drive him out," the Pakistani cleric told his supporters on the way.

In an interview with AAJ TV, the Pakistani cleric said there would be chaos in the country if the prime minister did not resign. According to security institutions, thousands of people are taking part in the Azadi March. The crowd further swelled in Islamabad, as supporters of Opposition parties, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People Party (PPP), joined the anti-government protest rally. 

The protestors have encamped in the sprawling ground near the Peshawar Mor area where different political parties have set up their camps to house their workers. Addressing the demonstrators at the venue, PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Imran Khan is a "puppet" and the nation is not ready to bow its head before a "selected" prime minister and "those who have selected him".

READ| BIG Snub: Pak court bars Imran Khan from acting against TV anchors

Meanwhile, Pakistani authorities have made elaborate security arrangements to control the sea of protesters. Main roads have been completely or partially blocked by placing shipping containers. Barbed wires have been used as hurdles to prevent protesters if they try to move towards the Red Zone that includes key official buildings and diplomatic enclave. 

Additional police and paramilitary personnel have also been deployed in Islamabad to prevent any violence. The government deployed army personnel in sensitive places in the capital.  The Islamabad local administration requisitioned 111 Brigade in the highly secured Red Zone, which houses sensitive buildings like Parliament House, Supreme Court, Foreign Office, Pakistan Television, Radio Pakistan and Diplomatic Enclave (a cluster of dozens of foreign embassies). 

Imran Khan on protests

Interior Minister Ijaz Shah warned of a crackdown if there is any violence. "I hope they (protesters) will follow the agreement they have signed with the government to remain peaceful," he said. Prime Minister Imran Khan has already denounced the protest, saying that the opposition parties were trying to blackmail him.

READ| 'Azadi March' reaches final leg at Islamabad, oppn to hold mass rally

The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party alleged that the protest was promoted by the PML-N and the PPP to force the government to release its top leaders, currently held in jails. Imran Khan and his party has ruled out his resignation but showed readiness to accept any other demand to improve election system or system of governance. The protest comes as the government struggles to lift up the faltering economy of the country.