The PTI long march is in its final stages as Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan will give the call for workers and supporters to reach Rawalpindi today.
Senior PTI leader and former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry has said the “final stage has arrived” in anticipation of the day former prime minister Imran Khan will call supporters to converge in Rawalpindi.
He revealed that PTI leaders Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Asad Umar, who are leading separate convoys, will meet at Rawat today from where the marchers would move towards Rawalpindi, located at a distance of 23.8 kilometers when approached via Grant Trunk Road.
Read more: PTI long march: Security increased for Imran Khan’s protection
“The second phase of #حقیقی_آزادی_مارچ will arrive from Rawat to enter Rawalpindi city. Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Asad Umar supervised this wonderful campaign. Today, both convoys will meet at Rawat. The final phase has arrived, be ready. Imran Khan will call the people to reach Rawalpindi today,” Fawad Chaudhry said.
#حقیقی_آزادی_مارچ کا دوسرا مرحلہ روات کے مقام سے راولپنڈی شہر داخل ہو نے کیلئے پہنچے گا شاہ محمود قریشی اور اسد عمر نے اس شاندار مہم کی نگرانی کی آج دونوں قافلے روات کے مقام پر ملیں گے، آخری مرحلہ آ گیا ہے تیار رہیں،عمران خان آج عوام کو راولپنڈی پہنچنے کی کال دیں گے
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) November 19, 2022
Things are rather tense in Rawalpindi as it braces for the long march. Strict security measures have been put in place. Over 10,000 police personnel have been stationed. Sharpshooters will be deployed at the buildings on the route of the long march convoy, while the march will be monitored through CCTV and drone cameras.
It is expected that movement for residents is expected to be restricted due to the blockade of the main Murree Road and its arteries as the PTI’s long march has planned a massive gathering of its supporters from all over the country, especially from Punjab, KP, and AJK, apparently to force their entry into the federal capital.
Read more: Ex-PTI leader Faisal Vawda slams Imran Khan’s long march
Moreover, the residents of Rawalpindi have started to panic buy as the political situation could increase inflation and shortage of food items in the city. Residents are in search of fruits and vegetables and open market shops in a bid to store necessary food items to avoid record inflation during unusual circumstances in the coming days.
Needless to say, the long march has been the target of much criticism, especially by the PML-N led federal government. Earlier, Railway Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said PTI leadership needs calmness instead of a long march.
پی ٹی آٸ قیادت کو لونگ مارچ ،گالی گلوچ ،انا پرستی ،نفرت انگیزی اور قبل ازوقت الیکشن کا راگ الاپنے کی بجاۓ سکون اورغوروفکر کی زیادہ ضرورت ھے
زبان عمل اور نیت کے شر سےخود بھی بچیں ، قوم کوبھی بچائیں
یہاں کوئ برھمن ھے نہ اچھُوت
سیاست کو مزید پراگندہ نہ کیا جاۓ— Khawaja Saad Rafique (@KhSaad_Rafique) November 19, 2022