Inqilab March
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| Inqilab March انقلاب مارچ | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| File:Dsc08066-official-photo.jpg Tahir-ul-Qadri founder of movement | |||
| Date | 14 August 2014- Present | ||
| Location | Long March (Pakistan) | ||
| Caused by | Centralization, Corruption, Feudalism, 2014 Lahore clash | ||
| Goals | Electoral reform, Election of Local Bodies, Dismissal of Government | ||
| Methods | Protest march | ||
| Status | Ongoing | ||
| Parties | |||
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| Lead figures | |||
Led By:Tahir-ul-Qadri Ally: Chaudhry Shujaat, Pervaiz Ellahi, Imran Khan leading Azadi March and Shaikh Rasheed | |||
| Number | |||
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The Inqilab March (انقلاب مارچ) (English: March for Revolution) was a public protest planned by the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) party with the object of removing the Nawaz Government and to introduce Islamic local bodies in the country, later allied with Tahreek-e-Insaaf, to be conducted in Islamabad on 14 August 2014 (Independence Day of Pakistan).[2] After the announcement of the Azadi March it was expected that Tahir ul Qadri would announce his own march to achieve his Inqilab. Later, on 10 August, Tahir ul Qadri (who had heretofore refused to ally his own march with the Azadi March), due to the increasing risk of being left behind politically, accepted the political supremacy of Imran Khan and allied the PTI's Azadi March with his own Inqilab March.[3] This alliance between the two parties meant there were two parallel marches by Qadri and Imran Khan with the same goal of having the government dismissed and for mutual protection in any civil crackdown. However, this alliance between the two parties did not mean the marches were merged, but that they aimed at the same goal.
Police and PAT members clash (17 June 2014 to present)
On 17 June 2014 the members of Pakistan Awami Tehreek clashed with the Punjab Police, and these clashes resulted in the death of 14 PAT members and the injury of more than 90 due to bullets fired by police. No police officers were killed. Many were arrested without any FIR. According to Tahir Allauddin Al-Qadri Al-Gillani, the Punjab police were responsible for all the violence, and he criticized Shahbaz Sharif for the death of his members. Later it was declared by the investigation squad that CM Shabaz, PM Nawaz and law minister Rana Sana Ullah were involved in the killings. As a result of a lawsuit filed by Idara-e-Minhaj-ul-Quran and of the investigation report, the session court ordered a FIR registered against those responsible, but due to political influence on the police no FIR has yet been filed. Later, on 8 August, members of the PAT coming to a ceremony of Yaum e Sahuda to be held on 10 August were targeted by police, resulting in the death of seven more PAT members, as well as the injury of some police.
| Pakistan Awami Tehreek | Nawaz Sharif, Shabaz Sharif |
|---|---|
| ~21 killed, 90+ wounded by bullets and several other injuries | 1 death, 150+ injuries |
| unarmed members and some armed with stones & sticks | highly equipped |
| Tahir Al Qadri | IG Punjab |
Deadline by Tahir Al Qadri
On the second day of the march Tahir Qadri set a deadline for Nawaz Shazbaz along with a demand for his arrest. The government refused it. His deadline lasted for 48 hours. Attempts were also made by Spiral All Haq and opposition leaders, but resulted in failure. The deadline also demanded to resign along with minister and MNAs. On 18 August 2014 the deadline expired.
Tahir Al Qadri's Appeal
On 18 August 2014, Tahir al Qadri called on his followers to come to Islamabad for resolution. He also announced a fatwa stating that sitting in houses is get fordeddin and sin. He also would not agree to talks. He urged his followers to come from every part of Pakistan and fill the city until it looked like the Atlantic Ocean. He also urged his allied parties to bring more of their own followers.
People's Parliament (19 August 2014–present)
After the failure of his deadline ultimatum, Tahir al Qadri announced the establishment of a People's Parliament to enable the people to give their own opinion. All its business was to be done in public, and he said he would do whatever the People's Parliament decided.
First meeting of Public or People's Parliament
The first meeting of the self-proclaimed parliament of Tahir al Qadri took place on 19 August 2014. He himself addressed the public in Sharwardi Park and asked them questions. The public answered Yes or No. The Public or People's Parliament (self-proclaimed parliament) passed a 10-point resulution.
10-point resolution
The self-proclaimed Parliament of Tahir al Qadri passed a 10-point resolution on 19 August 2014. Among the points the resolution suggested are the following:
- Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif should give their arrest
- Poor or needy people should be given opportunities for financial stabilitiy
- The march should be given permission to enter the Red Zone.
- Do not only demanding mid-term election
March toward Red Zone (19 August 2014–20 August 2014)
At the first meeting of Tahir al Qadri's self-proclaimed parliament he announced a march toward the Red zone. To begin with the Islamabad Police decided to resist them along with the Pakistani Army, but Nawaz Sharif ordered his cabinet to handle the matter with a firm and open mind. He gave permission for the Inqilab March, along with the Azadi March, to enter the Red Zone. The Red Zone contains the Supreme Court of Pakistan and Parliament House. He also gave instructions to police not to resist them. The containers used as a barrier were pulled from the way to the Red Zone so the Inqilab March could enter.
Clashes with Islamabad police on the way to Red Zone (20 August 2014)
On the way to the Red Zone the members of the PAT clashed with police on Nadra Chonk, Islamabad, while stoling containers to go to the Red Zone.
| Belligerents | Pakistan Awami Tehreek | Government of Pakistan |
|---|---|---|
| Commanders and Leaders | unknown | Nawaz Sharif |
| Casualties | no one | 1 injury |
| Equipment | Armed with sticks and stone | Pistols and guns |
Siege of Parliament (beginning 20 August 2014)
Arrest of PAT worker
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.[48]
Number of detained activists in various jails across Punjab[48]
[show]# Name of jail Detained activists
Government and Opposition views on Inqilab march
"Punjab police and its administration should decide whether they are servants of Sharifs or Pakistan ... Does Nawaz Sharif pay your salaries out of his own pocket?" — Imran Khan addresses Punjab police in a press conference, 3 August 2014.
"Democracy and nation will not be served by calls for civil disobedience nor by a stubborn refusal by any side to engage in a meaningful dialogue on political issues." — Former president Asif Ali Zardari, 18 August 2014.
"Imran Khan wants the prime minister’s seat so badly, we can take the chair out of parliament and bring it to him. He can spin around on it as much as he wants." — Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique jeers Imran Khan, 19 August 2014.[4][2]
See also
References
- ^ "Azadi March", The Nation, 13 July 2014.
- ^ a b "'Revolution march' to begin on August 14: Tahirul Qadri", The News International, 10 August 2014.
- ^ Azhar Nadeem (2014-08-10). "Tahir-ul-Qadri's Inqilab March To Join Hands With Azadi March".
- ^ "Clashes continue: One PAT worker killed, 6 female workers injured in Punjab", The Express Tribune, 9 August 2014.