Pakistan: PPP to Launch ‘Awami March’ Against Imran Khan from February 27

Awami March: In the midst of increasing economic and political turmoil due to skyrocketing fuel prices, the opposition Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) announced Tuesday its route for the massive ‘Awami March’ against the Imran Khan-led PTI government. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will lead the caravan at the protest march. According to the Express Tribune, the people’s march will start from Karachi on February 27 and end in Islamabad on March 8.

“PPP will begin its long march against the incumbent government from Karachi on February 27,” Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said during the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting held in Lahore, as per ARY News.

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Awami March route

Throughout the country, the protest rally will pass through 34 major cities, beginning in Karachi at Quaid’s mausoleum. On February 28, demonstrators will first reach Badin district in Sindh through Thatta and Sujawal on the second day. On March 1, the long rally will march from Moro towards Khairpur city to reach Sukkur. On March 2, the march will step forward to enter the Rahim Yar Khan district in Punjab through Ghotki. As the rally passes through Bahawalpur and Lodhran districts, it is expected to multiply, according to The Express Tribune citing a communique from Bilawal Bhutto.

The caravan will reach Sahiwal via Khanewal and Chichawatni on March 4 and 5 and enter Lahore on March 6 and 7. Bilawal will speak at the rally at Nasir Bagh in Lahore on March 6. After a brief rest in Wazirabad, the rally will continue towards Lalamusa and end at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi via Jhelum and Gujar Khan. The caravan will reach its final destination, Islamabad, on March 8.

Awami March to take place alongside PDM’s inflation protest

Bilawal Bhutto clarified last month that the Awami March is separate from the Pakistan Democratic Party’s (PDM) Inflation March, which is being held to condemn the high inflation that has led to struggles among the lower and middle classes of Pakistan. During his speech, Zardari attacked Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan for the economic situation in the country and the controversial Finance Supplementary Bill 2021, also known as the mini-budget. The Pakistan parliament passed the bill into an Act on January 13, reportedly without “any discussion” with opposition lawmakers.