ISLAMABAD: The second round of talks reconvened (after two sides had a discussion within their own groups regarding Azadi March) between government team and the Rahbar Committee ended sans any conclusion.
In the meeting, which was held at JUI-F leader Akram Durrani’s residence here, Government refused to accept any of the opposition’s demands including resignation of Prime Minister Imran Khan, holding of fresh election, organizing a public gathering at D Chowk or China Chowk.
Government insisted that the public gathering could only be allowed at Parade Ground. Nevertheless, Defense Minister Pervez Khattak maintained that dialogue with opposition would continue despite the fact that today’s two sessions failed to produce any result and finally hit a deadlock.
Opposition’s demands including the PM Imran Khan’s resignation, fresh elections, supremacy of civilian institutions, and the safeguarding of clauses pertaining to Islam within the Constitution — in the first round, talks were held only on the protest venue. Opposition demands were discussed with the prime minister before talks resumed at 10.30PM. 
Pervez Khattak informed the Government team and Opposition’s Rehbar Committee had agreed to hold further negotiations regarding JUI-F’s Azadi March. In a joint Presser here with the Rehbar Committee’s Convener, Akram Khan Durrani Defense Minister Pervez Khattak said the opposition tabled its charter of demand before the government during the second round of talks. He held the government was expecting positive outcomes in the forthcoming meetings with the Opposition. Akram Durrani said the Opposition had not closed its doors for further negotiations and expected more sittings to resolve the issue.
Government side comprised of Pervez Khatak, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, Sanjrani, MNA Asad Umar, Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood, Religious Affairs Minister Noorul Haq Qadri, and Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervez Elahi.
Rahbar Committee comprised of the host JUI-F leader Akram Khan Durrani’s, Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan (JUP)’s Awais Noorani, PPP’s Nayyar Bukhari and Farhatullah Babar, PML-N’s Ahsan Iqbal, former National Assembly speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Awami National Party’s Mian Iftikhar Hussain, Qaumi Watan Party’s Hashim Babar and National Party’s Tahir Bizenjo.
A relevant piece published earlier:
Azadi March: Rahbar Committee, Govt Team happy with first round of talks
ISLAMABAD: Opposition team (Rahbar Committee) led by JUI-F’s Akram Khan Durrani and Government side led by Defense Minister Pervez Khattak discussed a number of issues pertaining to the Azadi March this evening during the first round of talks.
According to sources the Rahbar Committee had put four demands up during the first round of talks including PM’s resignation and holding of new elections
Following the first session of talks Defense Minister Pervez Khattak and Rahbar Committee Convener Akram Durrani talked to the Media at a joint Presser.
Durrani stated: “A delegation of the government’s senior people met us under the leadership of Pervaiz Khattak. The talks were held in a cordial atmosphere.”
Khattak noted: “They gave us some suggestions and we gave them some of our own,” said Khattak. “We hope to receive good news soon.”
The two sides, maintaining that the parleys were moving towards a positive direction, informed that the second round of talks would be held at 10.30 PM tonight.
Azadi March: Govt-opp talks to be held today
ISLAMABAD: First round of formal parleys amid Govt and Opposition on the subject of JUI-F-orchestrated Azadi March will commence here today (Friday 25th of October, 2019).
With rumors apropos Maulana/COAS meeting – not denied yet by ISPR – making rounds, it seems that March will never happen and/or a muted face-saving show will be staged. Then the rumor-mongers had gone to the extent to insinuate that Maulana’s March will pave way to yet another Martial Law! This is the inevitable result of harnessing the Media i.e.: instead of a clear picture, obscure ghost of rumors possesses public and their judgment.
Venue of this evening’s rendezvous will be the residence of Jamiat-e-Ulema-Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) leader Akram Khan Durrani where seven-member Government negotiating team, headed by Defense Minister Pervez Khattak, would talk to eleven-member opposition team.
Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman has asked the Government delegation to arrive with Prime Minister Imran Khan’ s resignation with them, without which no talks were possible. On the other side Prime Minister Imran Khan has made it clear that he was an constitutionally elected Prime Minister and would not resign at any cost.
Opposition agreed to come to the negotiating table only when Prime Minister Imran Khan had given permission of Azadi March. Now it is to be seen will Maulana Fazl-Ur-Rehman’s side talk sans premier’s resignation.
Azadi March: Provincial Govts authorized to act against Ansar-ul-Islam
ISLAMABAD: Quoting article 256 the Federal Government has notified that militia such as Ansar-ul-Islam was illegal.
The notification held there were reasons to believe that “Ansar-ul-Islam is capable of functioning as a military organisation, in violation of the prohibition contained in Article 256 of the Constitution”.
According to the notification: “The federal government through ministry of interior entrust the provincial governments the power to take appropriate actions under Section 2 of the Private Military Organizations (Abolition and Prohibition) Act, 1974 against Ansar-ul-Islam.”
The move allows the provincial governments to abolish and ban Ansar-ul-Islam. The decision to take action against the JUI-F’s security wing was taken after seeking consent from the provincial governments.
It is pertinent to mention here that Balochistan government had already imposed a ban on Ansar-ul-Islam. Home minister maintained that government would not let any armed militia operate in the province: “If Ansar-ul-Islam is left free today, then other political parties will also consider themselves above the law tomorrow”.
Azadi March: Did Fazl-ur-Rehman meet COAS?
ISLAMABAD: The JUI-F chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman had an important meeting with COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa to discuss the Azadi March.
According to details the rendezvous took place after the announcement of Azadi March hence it is insinuated that the matter must have been discussed.
It has been reported that COAS stated that he stood by the Constitution and reminded JUI-F chief that being a responsible politician he must be aware of the regional state of affairs including that of Kashmir, Saudi Arabia and Iran.
It has further been reported that COAS held that Imran Khan was an elected PM and minus-Imran scenario was not possible.
Azadi March: Imran Khan says he won’t resign, accuses Fazl of having specific agenda
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan, while speaking to senior journalists and anchor persons here today, made it clear that he would not resign insinuating that Azadi March being orchestrated by JUI-F’s President Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman had a specific agenda.
Stating that his government was ready to hold serious talks with the opposition, Imran Khan categorically rejected the demand of the JUI-F and the Rahbar Committee regarding his resignation: “I don’t understand what Maulana’s problem is…I don’t understand the agenda of the opposition.” He went on to say that the opposition had only only issue and that was NRO.
Imran Khan pointed out that at first, India was against maulanas but now, they were celebrating at the idea of Fazl’s protest: “Look at how the Indian media is celebrating Maulana Fazl’s protest.” Claiming that Azadi March was distracting the world from the Kashmir Issue, Imran Khan held that Azadi March/Dharna would benefit the enemies.
Maintaining that there was a difference between 2014 dharna of PTI and Maulana’s Azadi March Imran Khan claimed that he had proof of rigging in four constituencies.
He said that though the charter of demands of the Marchers was not clear yet they were being allowed to carry the March on. But he warned that the March should be peaceful and within the limits of law.
PM said that he would bring the country out of present predicament. He said that a battle between Saudi Arabia and Iran could be dangerous for Pakistan too and he wanted to bring Saudi and Irani FM’s to the negotiation table in Pakistan.
PTI-Govt Allows Azadi March
ISLAMABAD: Following the remarks by Courts apropos the legality of political protests and sit-ins in a democracy, PTI Government had allowed the Azadi March here as long as the manifestation remains peaceful.
According to the statement issued by PM’s Office:“It was decided that the Government, with its firm belief in upholding democratic ideals, would allow the proposed Azadi March, if it takes place within the ambit of law and the Constitution as interpreted in the decisions of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and Islamabad High Court.”
While the PM Office maintained that the Imran Khan believed in democracy and the protesters would be able to manifest as long as the everyday life of citizens was not adversely affected, as outlined by past judgments of the SC and IHC.
It is pertinent to mention here that while PM Office was issuing its note apropos grant of Azadi March permission, Islamabad police was issuing riot gear and mobilizing containers to cordon off sensitive areas of the capital city to prevent protesters from marching on to the Red Zone.
Azadi Marchers asked to carry 5-day ration
ISLAMABAD: Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) has instructed the participants of Azadi March, scheduled to commence on 27th of this month, and Dharna (Sit-in) to be staged here from 31st of Oct, to carry rations for 5 days.
Prohibiting carrying of weapons, knives, batons etc. JUI-F has directed its workers to come prepared for at-least one-week-long sit-in and bring with them two sets of clothing, blankets, bed-sheets, umbrellas, mobile phone chargers, water bottles, dry fruits etc.
Since would-be marchers have been asked to carry their NIC with them, it seems no less than 18-year-old is joining the Azadi March and Sit-in. Moreover, the instructions regarding bringing a copy of Holy Quran and course books – “to avoid wastage of time” – manifests that JUI-F is all set to mobilize pupils studying its Madrassas all over the country.
A senior journalist, who has reported religious parties (mazhabi jamatain) for two decades, insinuated that JUI-F followers were hundred percent Pathans. If that is the case than the Azadi March will be an all-Pathan anti-PTI-government march if other parties, particularly PPP-P and PML-N fails to show-up.
Marchers have been instructed to remain peaceful and ask their co-marchers to remain peaceful. The would-be marchers have been directed not to cause damage to and public or private property during the March.
While arrangement of (one-way) transport has been asked for, in order to remove obstacles placed by government to stop the marchers, each district-level group of marchers are asked to move with a crane and an ambulance to provide medical assistance if needed.
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