Inqilab March

The Inqilab March (انقلاب مارچ) (English: March for Revolution) was a public protest by the Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) Party occurring in August and September 2014.

In mid-August 2014, Islamic Scholar Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri led thousands of people, in hundreds of cars, buses and trucks towards the federal capital, Islamabad, from the provincial capital, Lahore. Many of the protesters were daily wage workers and students from different parts of rural Punjab who were reportedly being paid to join the protest.^[2] Some of these paid protesters were then allegedly forced to stay in the protest against their wishes by the organizers, something the organizers have denied.^[2]

Background

On 17 June 2014, a violent clash occurred between the Punjab Police and PAT activists resulting in the deaths of several protesters from police gunfire.^[3][4]

Current situation

As of the end of September 2014, the Inqilab March is conducting sit-in protests with allied partner Imran Khan, Chairman and founder of Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) and organizer of 2014 Azadi March, in the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad, ongoing since 14 August 2014 (Pakistani Independence Day).^[5] After the announcement of the Azadi March, it was expected that Tahir-ul-Qadri (heretofore refusing to ally his own march with the Azadi March) allied the PTI's Azadi March with his own Inqilab March.^[6] This alliance between the two parties resulted in two parallel marches by Qadri and Imran Khan (with the goal of mutual protection in any civil crackdown).

Informal PTI–PAT coalition

Imran Khan and Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri did not fully join their protest marches nor decline to support each other.^[7] 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 organized to take different routes, albeit closely mirroring each other. It is apparent that the two parties have similar objectives yet different aims and strategies. The announcement of two parallel marches by parties in 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^[8][9] On 11 August 2014, Qadri and Khan both announced that there would be two parallel marches, informally allied together for the dismissal of the government.

Media coverage

• According to news report appearing 21 August 2014, PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri said that the government has not been allowing his workers to supply food items and potable water for the participants of the sit-in.^[10]

• News reported in the Daily Dawn (31 August 2014), said hundreds of people were injured in the federal capital as police battled throngs of protesters led by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek ^[11]

• In an Urdu language article published in the Daily Jang (2 September 2014), Saleem Safi described the present sit-in as an implementation process of foreign infrastructure, sectarian-based policy, evoked by the UK and the United States.

• Per news telecast in the different tv channels and published in the news papers, it was reported that Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri led the Eid prayer at Islamabad’s D-Chowk. The congregation was attended by Chief of PTI Imran Khan and other political leaders, including Raja Nasir Abbas Jafary of MWM. Animal sacrifies were also offered in the name of Allah following the Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim and his son Prophet Ismail. Celebration of Eid at D-Chowk is itself unique in history but has also been censured by the rivalry.^{[12][13][14][15]}

See also

• Long March, protests by the Pakistan Awami Tehreek in 2013
• Azadi March, by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and its transformation into Dharna alongside the Inqilab March Dharna.

References

External links