‘Neither politics nor personal gain; long march seeks freedom’: Imran Khan   

Lahore: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan Friday reiterated that the long march is not for electioneering or personal gain, but it is seeking ‘freedom for nation’. 

While addressing the massive crowd at Liberty Chowk, PTI Chief Imran Khan stated: “This march is not for politics or personal interest, but to free the nation,” adding that his only aim is to turn Pakistan into a free country. 

The former premier said that the nation will no longer tolerate ‘theives’ as leaders. 

Khan said that they will do constructive criticism for the betterment of the nation, adding that "We have always remained peaceful, and will remain peaceful this time too".

“Time has come to embark on journey of true freedom march,” he added.  

The long march of PTI started under the leadership of Imran Khan. As per the long march’s strategy, the PTI supporters will walk on foot while the vehicles will be behind. 

Supporters riding on their motorcycles and carrying party flags have assembled at Lahore's Liberty Chowk from where Khan would proceed towards the capital through the GT Road.

The convoy from Karachi will leave for Islamabad on Monday morning while the Sukkur convoy will depart on Tuesday. Apart from this, PTI workers will leave Baluchistan on Sunday to reach Islamabad via Quetta. 

As per officials, the party has already finalized preparations for its true freedom march (Haqeeqi Azadi March). The highly anticipated march will take seven days to reach Islamabad, on November 4. 

A special five-seater container, which has been prepared for Imran Khan, has arrived at Liberty Chowk. The container will be used by senior PTI leadership as well. 

Notably, the long march was supposed to begin at 11:00 am from Liberty Chowk where the party leaders and supporters have already started gathering. However, it started around 3:45 pm. 

In the fullness of time, the marchers would reach Shahdara, Lahore. Then the long march would reach Gujranwala in the second phase. While in the third phase, the supporters would reach Gujarat via Sialkot.  

Following this security has been tightened along the march route and in the federal capital.  

Islamabad Administration Refuses To Issue NOC 

In the meantime, the district administration of Islamabad has rejected PTI’s no-objection certificate to hold its rally in the federal capital, stating that the party has ‘violated the NOC that was provided to it on May 25’.  

In a letter, the administration—along with a list of past violations— wrote: “You were given permission in the past as well, but you violated all the promises”. 

The party, however, is hopeful of getting NOC within 24 hours.