Pakistan ex-PM Imran Khan begins 'long march' to press Shehbaz Sharif govt for early polls: Key points

Thousands of PTI activists thronged Lahore's Liberty Chowk on Friday afternoon for the commencement of the long march, dubbed 'Haqeeqi Azadi March' by the party.Many more are expected to join a convoy that will travel around 380 kilometres from Lahore to Islamabad over the next week, stopping along the way to hold rallies and gather more protesters.It will pass through Ferozepur Road, Icchra, Azadi Chowk, Mozang, Data Darbar side, and Muridke. It will enter the Islamabad after passing through Kamonki, Gujranwala, Daska, Sumbrial, Lala Musa, Khariyan, Gujjar Khan and Rawalpindi. It is expected to culminate in the Pakistani capital on November 4.The march started moving only late on Friday afternoon, delayed by several hours.

The party has dedicated the long march to slain journalist Arshad Sharif, who was shot dead in Kenya recently. The country is grappling with different versions about the killing and indirect allegations against the armed forces.The establishment has been under further scrutiny this week following Arshad's killing in Kenya, where he had fled to avoid sedition charges.Kenyan officials say Sharif's death was a case of mistaken identity, but it has spawned speculation of a targeted killing; the Pakistan government has ordered an official inquiry. Sharif was a known critic of Pakistan's military establishment.Speaking in Lahore, Imran Khan promised to establish Shaheeh Arshad Sharif University of Journalism, without sharing further details.

Imran Khan once again applauded India for its independent foreign policy and New Delhi's purchase of Russian oil in line with its national interests despite Western pressure amid the Ukraine war."The decisions of this nation must be made inside the nation. If Russia is giving cheap oil and if I have the choice to save my countrymen, no one should ask us. No one should be able to tell us. India can take oil from Russia but slave Pakistanis are not allowed. I want to see a free country and justice must prevail and people should be provided safety and security," Imran Khan said.

Imran Khan's political fortunes have been dwindling since his ouster as prime minister in April. He finds himself cornered, with several run-ins with the all-powerful army and the judiciary.Further, he has been disqualified from holding public office for five years by the country's election commission.Piling pressure on the Shehbaz Sharif government just before the appointment of the next chief of the Pakistan army is clearly tactical.It is widely believed Imran was propped up by the army for the top job following the 2018 general elections. But the equation "soured" over several issues, and he fell out of favour.The army refused to side with him as he faced a no-confidence motion in Parliament last April, resulting in his ouster.Imran is calling for fresh elections with the hope of bouncing back with a favourable mandate.

Imran Khan has repeatedly rebuked the establishment (army, judiciary) for attempting to sideline him, and has dodged multiple legal challenges since his ouster.On Thursday, the ISI chief and chief of military public relations held an unprecedented press conference where they defended the institutions against Khan's accusations that they were meddling in politics.Without naming Khan, ISI chief Lt Gen Anjum said army chief Gen Bajwa received a "lucrative" offer if he helped the then-government (of Imran Khan) survive the no-confidence motion- an offer the army chief refused.Khan later admitted having offered an extension to Gen Bajwa when the then opposition was "conspiring" to topple his government.Imran had also made some controversial remarks against a sessions judge at a rally on August 20 in Islamabad, for which he was booked in a terrorism case on a complaint for threatening the female judge.

Khan has used the 'Long march' tactic before - most recently in May, weeks after he lost power, with a similar set of demands- dissolving provincial assemblies and calling for fresh general elections.The police used tear gas after clashing with Khan's supporters as they approached Islamabad's sensitive "red zone", and the rally quickly dispersed.This time Khan has called on protesters to stay peaceful, and given assurances that he would not enter the 'red zone' and the protest remain in areas designated by the courts and local administration

Security has already been tightened in Islamabad, with hundreds of shipping containers positioned at key intersections, ready to block marchers should they try to storm the government enclave.The Islamabad police said that a total of 13,086 officers have been deployed for the march. 8,000 paramilitary personnel and 1,022 policemen from the Sindh province will also be on duty during the march.The police officers will be provided 616 tear gas guns, 50,050 shells, 611 twelve-bore guns and 36,700 rounds, in addition to 2,430 masks and 374 vehicles will also be given to the police.PML-N leader Talal Chaudhry has said PTI protesters “may stay in Islamabad for not one but 100 days,” and in a lawful manner, at places designated by the Supreme Court.