Azadi march

Political background

Following massive allegations of rigging in the 2013 general election, former cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan's political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) hesitantly accepted the election results, demanding a probe into electoral rigging in four constituencies as a litmus test for the rest of the election process. Government inaction in this regard led the PTI to organise several jalsas (lit. protest demonstrations) throughout Punjab, which is prime minister Nawaz Sharif's political stronghold.

In August 2014, Imran Khan stated that for 14 months, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf had tried to bring those who were responsible for rigging to justice, all in a legal manner through state institutions. The PTI produced a 2100-page white paper showing evidence of rigging. Despite this, no action was taken. Imran Khan argued that, normally, in any democracy, the Supreme Court of that nation would have nullified the results and called for fresh elections. Even after the evidence was presented and revelations by Afzal Khan, former additional secretary of the election commission, the Supreme Court also took no action. However, Supreme Court sought for evidence which was necessary as per law to nullify all seats which was sought in a petition. The petitioner said he had no proof beyond the allegations which were levelled by Afzal Khan. These were proved wrong. The petition was dismissed as per the law of Pakistan which requires proof beyond reasonable doubt.

Throughout these jalsas, Khan expressed his disappointment at the lack of initiative by the country's judicial system and the adverse behaviour of the Election Commission toward his cases against election rigging. On 22 April 2014, PTI officially announced the start of their anti-rigging movement.

Protest demonstrations

Phase 1 — Islamabad jalsa: On 11 May (when year passed) From all Pakistan people gathered in Islamabad to support Imran Khan where Khan demanded 4 constituency investigation from government and until that decided to protest in-front of election commission offices every Friday. Khan also blamed Geo News to be Part of rigging and announced to prove what he said in Faisalabad Jalsa.

Phase 2 — Faislabad jalsa: In Faisalabad, a greater number of people gathered in his jalsa where demand of Imran intensified and he questioned the victory speech of Nawaz Sharif and decided to intensify his movement to increase pressure of government and announced Sialkot Jalsa. Phase 3 — Sialkot jalsa: In the Sialkot Jalsa, Khan addressed a huge crowd and criticised the role of the judiciary in the election. In his usual tone, he also commented on the outcomes of the result.

Phase 4 — Bahawalpur jalsa: On 27 June 2014, Khan managed to gather a massive crowd at the Bahawalpur Stadium where he announced plans for the Azadi March, calling the protest march the final phase of his movement against electoral fraud in the 2013 general election. He also gave government a leeway of one month (because of the holy month of Ramadan) to open an investigation into four constituencies (as marked by his four jalsas) and presented further demands.

Informal PTI–PAT coalition

As was expected, Imran Khan and Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, both neither fully merged their protest marches nor fully rejected to support each other. On 10 August 2014, Qadri formally announced that his party's political march, the Inqilab March, would proceed parallel with PTI's Azadi march. Both marches were organised to take different routes, albeit closely mirroring each other. However, as time went by, it became quite apparent that the two parties had similar objectives yet different aims and strategies.

The announcement of two parallel marches by parties in the opposition gave rise to speculation that a coalition between PTI and PAT was possible. The chiefs of the two parties never clearly stipulated a formal coalition but an informal agreement to support each other was achieved On 11 August 2014, Qadri and Khan both clarified media persons that there will be two parallel marches, informally allied together for the dismissal of the government, yet without any combined forward strategy.

Goals and demands

Imran Khan and PTI had consistently asked the government to constitute tribunals and committees to investigate electoral fraud in the four constituencies since the 2013 election results were announced. In making these demands, Khan reluctantly accepted the election results, albeit being consistently ridiculed by the PML-N government and ministers.

A year on, the PML-N government made no headway or momentum in this regard and remained "hesitant in investigating the alleged rigging". On the other hand, Khan had consistently presented proofs of electoral fraud in various constituencies. The PTI chief had also named the caretaker Punjab chief minister Najam Sethi and former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry in facilitating fraud on the behest of PML-N in the past elections.

Initial demands

Because of the lack of government initiative in opening investigation into allegations of electoral fraud, Khan gave the PML-N government a month to fulfil his demand. He said that he had "knocked every door to find justice" but in vain. In PTI's Bahawalpur jalsa, the party chief warned if his ultimatum was not met within a month, a million of his followers would march onto the parliament; Khan's primary four demands included investigations into:

Generalised charter of demands

Over the course of the next month, Khan's demand took on a more generalised structure and included the following broad demands:

Ultimate demands

After Khan presented his demands, the government further ridiculed him and showed no concern in this regard. This only forced Khan to present the following ultimate demands alongside his earlier demands:

Still, there are expected chances of talks between Khan and the government in which much of the PTI's demands, excluding re-election and replacing the Nawaz regime, can be accepted in the near future.

Lahore to Islamabad

The Azadi March was due to being at Khan's residence at Zaman Park in Lahore at 10 am, but was delayed until 12:30 pm when the PTI chairman addressed the rallying crowds outside his house. Moments later, the rally began its procession towards Islamabad. Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Pervez Khattak left with a convoy of supporters from Peshawar towards Islamabad. At 5:34 pm, Khattak's convoy joined with other PTI cavalcades from Charsadda, Swabi and Nowshera on the motorway to Islamabad, later reaching the provincial interchange at Attock on 6:23 pm and eventually reaching Islamabad at 8:24 pm.

On the other hand, Khan's rally inched its way through the city of Lahore at a snail's pace, via the Mall Road, Faisal Chowk, Data Darbar, Bhatti Chowk, Azadi Chowk and Minar-e-Pakistan, Niazi Chowk, Ravi Bridge and finally Shahdaran to get onto the Grand Trunk Road leading to Islamabad. The delay resulted after the milestone destinations of Data Darbar, Bhatti Chowk, Azadi Chowk and Niazi Chowk were included in the rally route at a later time, after the protest march had already begun.

He directed his counsel to withdraw the letter written in response to the defamation notice of ex-chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

Nawaz Sharif's government asked the COAS General Raheel Sharif to 'facilitate' and play his role to overcome the ongoing crisis. General Raheel Sharif invited Imran Khan & Dr. Tahirul Qadri for talks. They met General Sharif at Army Headquarters Rawalpindi and presented their demands. Pakistani constitution does not have any provision where military can provide facilitation regarding a political crisis.

Protest/Azadi Jalsa in Other cities

On Friday when Imran khan's party was celebrating one month of Azadi Dharna (sit-in), Khan announced the extension of protests to other cities for which Karachi was chosen as its first destination, extending on to Lahore and Multan. This extension was successful to pressurize government which the PTI wanted.

In Karachi

On Sunday, 21 September 2014, near Mazar-e-Quaid a historic crowd gathered to register their protest against Nawaz Government. The figure of crowd according to independent sources was extending 200,000 people which was a historic figure for PTI and a failure for Karachi-based party MQM. This also showed the street power and massive support for PTI across Pakistan and resulted in increase of government confusion. Express Tribune tagged the crowd to be a record breaker. After the success of this jalsa, Khan announced to move for Lahore.

In Lahore

On 28 September 2014; As planned Tahreek-e-insaf managed a huge jalsa in Minar-e-Pakistan Lahore. According to sources the crowd was of about 250,000 people (accepted by the government as huge crowd). This crowd which was to be record breaker was a great threat for PML-N stakes in Lahore and huge victory for Imran Khan tahreek-e-insaf. This Jalsa gave party a boost. Imran Khan addressing the crowd said them to prepare for elections and also announced to In further visit Multan. Surprisingly the jalsa blocked the huge Azadi interchange for hours. Even the Cabinet admired the political power of PTI after this Jalsa and offered to begin the talks.

In Mianwali

On 2 October 2014, PTI moved to Mianwali, hometown of Imran Khan and organized a large gathering. In this jalsa, for the first time a huge number of women participation was seen in the history of Mianwali.

In Multan

After Eid ul Adha, PTI's next stop was Multan. The crowd gathered in Multan to hear Imran Khan's speech is said to have exceeded 150,000. Due to the mismanagement, seven people were killed in the stampede that occurred after the speech of Imran Khan when all of the crowd and people rushed out of the gates. The management had deliberately closed the gates of the stadium due to which the incident took place.

In Sargodha

On 17 October 2014, PTI tsunami hit Sargodha after the victory of PTI backed candidate in Multan by-election. Like all previous rallies, a large number of people were present to welcome their leader in Sargodha. Learning from Multan incident, Sargodha Jalsa was managed in a more efficient way. Only 25 passes had been issued to people who were allowed to get on main stage.

In Gujrat

On 24 October 2014, PTI organized rally in Zahoor Elahi Stadium in Gujrat. This was the last jalsa of PTI before Muharram. A large number of crowd gathered again as per other rallies of PTI. PTI Chairman Imran Khan announced two jalsas in week after Muharram.

In Rahim Yar Khan

On 9 November 2014, PTI resumed its marathon of political rallies with Rahim Yar Khan Jalsa. The party had taken a short break due to Muharram days. In this public gathering, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman presented the solution of political crisis. Imran Khan decided to withdraw his resignation demand of Prime Minister. But instead Imran Khan suggested the formation of a commission under the Supreme Court to investigate the alleged electoral fraud. Khan suggested that members of ISI and MI be included in the commission. He prompted the formation of commission and the sit-in in Islamabad will also continue until the completion of investigation. He threatened to gather around a mass of a million people in the capital Islamabad on 30 November if the commission is not established until then.

In Nankana Sahib, Sahiwal And Jhelum

PTI organized three different rallies in one week in different cities of Punjab. 12 November on Nankana Sahib, 15 November in Sahiwal and 16th in Jhelum. PTI also gathered large number of crowds in all three rallies. Imran Khan calls entire Pakistan to Islamabad on 30 November 2014. Imran Khan says the time for change has come. In Jhelum rally, an incident of firing occurred. At least eight workers of PTI were injured. PTI Chairman Imran Khan visited the hospital to meet the injured workers.

In Larkana

PTI tsunami hit PPP strong hold Larkana on 21 November 2014.PTI organized a rally outside Larkana city. This was the first time any political party had dared to organise a jalsa in the stronghold of People's Party. The large number of people attended the rally proving that the people of Larkana wanted change. Imran Khan announced that PTI will not allow Sindh to be divided and Kalabagh dam will not be built without the consent and willingness of the people of Sindh.

In Gujranwala

PTI held the last rally in Gujranwala before 30 November.PTI rally was held in Jinnah Stadium Gujranwala. A large number of crowd gathered in this rally. This was a huge upset for the PML-N as it had clean swept PTI in the 2013 elections. Imran Khan announced to present the evidence of rigging in press conference next week.

End of March

Imran Khan announced the end of protest on security reasons following the Peshawar terrorist school attack.

Government reaction and response

Following Khan's announcement of a protest march, the government announced that the PTI chief's demand as "undemocratic" and a ploy to "derail democracy". Awami National Party (ANP) provincial general secretary and former provincial minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain expressed concern that Khan's long march could derail democracy and if the democratic system is eventually derailed, the PTI chairman would be held responsible.

Government talks with opposition parties

Amidst concerns that the democracy could be derailed, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) mostly sided with the PML-N government in an effort to preserve the democratic traditions in the country. When it seemed that PPP and PML-N might fall into a coalition to thwart Khan's march on Islamabad, PPP chief and former president Asif Ali Zardari asked Nawaz Sharif to act as "an elected prime minister [and] not as a 'king'".

On the other hand, government coalition parties, such as ANP, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F); JUI-F) and Balochistan National Party (BNP) vowed to side with PML-N on issues expressed by Khan in his Bahawalpur speech. In fact, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Khan's political allies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also remained neutral and presented their desire to "defuse tensions" between PML-N and PTI on these issues. Altaf Hussain and his political party Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) sent a delegation to meet with the prime minister.

JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman said that Khan's march is an effort to hide his party's failure to perform in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, while JI leader Siraj-ul-Haq, PTI's ally in the provincial government offered to help facilitate talks between PTI and the PML-N government. As it transpired, PML-N was able to develop a rather strong alliance with various political parties in the parliament against PTI protest march, comparable to the Pakistan National Alliance formed against Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1977.

Government plans Independence Day celebrations

In accordance to annual Independence day celebrations, the Sharif government organized a midnight event at the Federal capital. Pervez Rashid reminisced the olden days before 1999 when the government would organise Independence Day celebration in the nation's capital and revived the tradition to avert an eventual showdown by PTI.

After Khan announced his plans for Azadi March, the government responded immediately by announcing their own plans to organise a social Independence Day celebration in D-Chowk, Islamabad. Citing security concerns, the government feared threats of bloodshed on the day of the march and increased their efforts to curtail the protest movement. By announcing Independence Day celebrations (which were initially slated to last for two weeks) on the same day as the protest march, the government had hoped to prevent further conflict by forcing PTI to change the date of the protest, however Khan remained adamant on organising his march on 14 August. PTI leadership termed these government plans a delaying strategy that could result in a deadlock between the two parties which could lead to unnecessary aggression on the day of the protest.

Arsalan Iftikhar's case against Imran Khan

Following many Anti-march stances, Arsalan Iftikhar, son of former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry built a case against Imran Khan. Arsalan Iftikhar alleged that by not disclosing details of his love child Tyrian, Imran Khan had violated articles 62 and 63 of Pakistan's constitution.

Operation Zarb-e-Azb and security concerns

PML-N leader and federal minister for planning and development, Ahsan Iqbal, called Khan's Azadi March anarchy in disguise and criticised Khan for launching an unnecessary protest movement when the country was at war with the terrorists in North Waziristan in the Operation Zarb-e-Azb. Iqbal also declared that PML-N had "no connection with Arsalan Iftikhar" and his case against the PTI chief. Meanwhile, analysts also criticised the Sharif government for delaying and discouraging a seemingly democratic right of a political party to protest. The country's news media stood divided on the issue of the protest march, where Geo News purported the march as Khan's mere wishful plan to become the country's next prime minister. On the other hand, Imran khan and his Party "PTI" is officially on boycott of Geo News from few months before Azadi March

Khan's claim to gather a million protesters in Islamabad (a figure greater than the total population of the city) posed a threat to the security apparatus in the nation's capital in the eyes of the government. The PML-N government feared that such huge crowds in Islamabad could lead to severe conflicts and even terrorist attacks. The government also issued plans for the Islamabad police to stop any protesters from entering the city while the Independence Day celebrations were underway thwarting any efforts of reconciliation with PTI. Khan expressed his concerns regarding government's plans, calling his party's protest march the "final phase" of the larger PTI anti-rigging movement and struggle, and a "do or die situation" for his party.

Police crackdown

On 3 August 2014, the PTI Islamabad wing alleged that law enforcement agencies threatened several party workers ahead of the Azadi March. However, the Islamabad police denied allegations saying they only collected contact numbers as part of the standard operating procedure. Following allegations of such threats, Imran Khan coordinated a press conference and "warned of shutting down the entire country if attempts were made to put him under house arrest".

Nevertheless, as the eventual day of the protest march drew near, Punjab police "seized numerous motorcycles around the Minhajul Quran secretariat which PAT workers were supposed to use on the day of the protest".

Arrests of PAT and PTI workers

On 17 August 2014, Dawn newspaper published official statistics of as many as 2,520 office-bearers and activists of PAT and PTI detained in 27 jails in Punjab under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960 (section 3; 3-MPO). Under the law, a district coordination officer (DCO) has the power to detain a person they deem a threat to public order for a maximum period of 30 days. The government has decided not to use force against people sitting outside Parliament, said by Pervaiz Rasheed Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting in an interview with Dispatch News Desk news agency on 24 September 2014

United Kingdom

As the PAT and PTI chiefs announced to walk onto the parliament, British foreign secretary Philip Hammond said in a statement that the British government "strongly [supported] a democratic Pakistan and the use of democratic institutions to resolve political disputes". He further added that "[he] hope[s] that all parties in Pakistan can work together under the Constitution to peacefully resolve current political differences".

United States

The State Department deputy spokesperson Marie Harf said that the United States government "[was] carefully monitoring the demonstrations in Islamabad". She added that the US government "urge[s] all sides to refrain from violence, exercise restraint, and respect the rule of law" with "all parties [working] together to resolve their differences through peaceful dialogue in a way that strengthens Pakistan’s democracy". In a later press briefing, Harf said that "Nawaz Sharif was elected and is prime minister (period). There is a government that was elected in place. So while we’ve called on all sides to refrain from violence, we are monitoring the situation, but we will continue working with the Pakistanis". She reiterated that "there’s a path forward... that’s peaceful. We know there’s a lot of space for political dialogue, but it has to remain peaceful". When Nawaz Sharif used Harf's statement as US endorsement for his premiership, Khan sent a rather tough message to the Obama administration to "mind its own politics as they had no right to meddle in Pakistan's domestic affairs". Khan questioned the US authorities as to how they could call Sharif a democratic prime minister when he came to power through a fraudulent electoral process.

Foreign reaction

Internal criticism

Criticism against the march emerged within the party when three national parliamentarians and majority of members of K-P Assembly refused to resign. Moreover, on 31 August 2014, PTI Central president Javed Hashmi distanced himself from PTI chief Imran Khan and warned that party would have to explain its decisions for decades to come if martial law is imposed in the country. Javed Hashmi said that Imran Khan told him that he was compelled to march forward towards PM house.

Economic losses to country

By 31 August, the government claimed economic losses directly resulting from the sit in were between Rs500 million and Rs800 million. On 26 September, an adviser to the PM claimed the losses had run up to $6 billion (Rs610 billion)

Closure of educational institutions in Islamabad

Educational institutions in Islamabad were due to start educational activities after summer holidays on 11 August 2014 but had to remain closed until 24 August 2014; the dates were later changed to 31 August 2014 to accommodate the ongoing protests, eventually leading to losses in the education sector. Most of the government schools are actually closed as 30,000 AJK and Punjab police are provided accommodation in public schools, amidst fears that they will be used for a crackdown against the sit-in participants.

Istehkam-e-Pakistan rallies

The ruling PML-N held Istehkam-e-Pakistan rallies in Gujranwala, Sargodha and Sahiwal. Enthusiastic workers were carrying portraits of Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif, national flags and party flags and raising slogans in favour of their leaders. Pakistan Muslim League-N held a historic Istehkam-e-Pakistan rally at Chairing Cross, Lahore which was attended by thousands of enthusiastic workers. Big portraits of Quaid PML-N Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and Hamza Shahbaz Sharif were displayed at the stage. PML-N workers were carrying national flag, PML-N flags and posters of Nawaz Sharif. Hamza Shahbaz Sharif also made a speech against protesters demanding resignation of PM.

Harassment of women

A few cases of harassment of women, teasing and disrespect have been reported but there was no reasonable evidence for this claim. Dance at PTI jalsa was also condemned on social media. A petition was presented in Islamabad High Court regarding accusations of vulgarity on Azadi march protesters. A single bench of IHC comprising Justice Athar Minullah will hear this case.Template:Updated needed

Go Nawaz Go slogan and popular culture

The Azadi March was attended in massive numbers by celebrities and actors, including Hamza Ali Abbasi, Bilal Lashari, Urwa Hocane and Mawra Hocane, Sanam Jung, etc. Cricket Legends Javed Miandad and Wasim Akram also praised Imran Khan and supported him. Singers like Ali Zafar and Farhan Saeed also supported Khan and the Azadi March. The Azadi March became notable for popularizing the slogan 'Go Nawaz Go', which protesters chanted against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Sharif and members of his party were greeted with this slogan in several cities including Sargodha, Muzaffarabad, Sialkot etc. Upon Prime Minister's visit to United States of America to attend 69th session of United Nation's General Assembly, a large number of PTI Protestants gathered outside the UN office and chanted 'Go Nawaz Go'. #GoNawazGo also became one of the most used hashtags of the year on social media in Pakistan.