The 2022 Azadi March II (Urdu: آزادی مارچ, romanized: Āzādī Mārch, lit. 'Freedom March') was a protest march led by Imran Khan, former prime minister of Pakistan, from Lahore to Islamabad against the Shehbaz Sharif ministry. It succeeded 2022 Azadi March I, which took place in May.
| 2022 Azadi March II | |||
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| Part of 2022–2023 Pakistan political unrest | |||
| Date | 28 October 2022 – 26 November 2022 | ||
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There was an attempted assassination of Imran Khan during the early days of the march. Khan decided to push for the dissolution of the provincial assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to force early elections instead of continuing the march. Continued dispute between PTI and the federal government of Pakistan on the holding of elections leading to arbitration at the Supreme Court
March stop points
editMarch
editImran ultimately announced on 25 October 2022, that the long march will begin on 28 October, from Liberty Chowk, Lahore, and will end in Islamabad before turning into a sit-in.[15][16][17]
Incidents
editSadaf Naeem death
editOn 30 October 2022, Sadaf Naeem, a journalist for a Pakistani news TV channel died in an accident while trying to cover the march in close proximity.[18] She tried to climb Khan's truck and lost her balance, fell on the ground, and was run-over by the truck.[19] She was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.[10]
On her death, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's leadership expressed shock and grief. Imran Khan announced a stop to his Azadi March for the day. He also visited her residence in order to offer condolences to her family.[20] The PTI wished for appointment of a new COAS.[18]
Shooting of Imran Khan
editAssassination attempt
editOn 3 November, while giving a speech to his supporters, shots were fired by unidentified gunmen at Khan's container-mounted-truck. According to an aide of Khan, the truck was fired at six times.[21] A Khan supporter by the name of Ibtisam[22] tried to tackle the gunman.[23] One other supporter was shot dead attempting to tackle the shooter.[22] A burst of gunfire happened first, then, moments later, a single pistol fire sound.[citation needed]
Khan was shot in the shin and thigh on the right leg and was transferred to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Lahore, where he underwent treatment. His doctor, Faisal Sultan, said that X-rays and scans showed bullet fragments lodged in Khan's legs, and that his tibia was fractured.[24] A leader of the PTI said that his condition was stable.[25] He was then discharged from the hospital on the 6th of November.
In total, nine people were injured, including Imran Khan and Senator Faisal Javed Khan, and one person was killed.[11][12]
References
edit- ^ "PTI announces nationwide protests". 4 November 2022.
- ^ "Imran Khan accuses Biden administration for being involved in 'regime change conspiracy'". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2022-05-25.
- ^ "Return to dynastic nepotism leaves Pakistan facing an uncertain future". 22 April 2022.
- ^ "PTI workers clash with police as countrywide protests breakout against attack on Imran Khan". 4 October 2022.
- ^ a b "PTI workers clash with police as countrywide protests breakout against attack on Imran Khan". 4 November 2022.
- ^ "police raids on PTI protesters; arrested Protesters". 4 November 2022.
- ^ a b "Islamabad police book PTI protesters; arrested Protesters". 4 November 2022.
- ^ "In a bid to deal with the PTI's 'Haqeeqi Azadi March' ARY News". 10 November 2022.
- ^ Malik, Mansoor (31 October 2022). "PTI marks Revolutionist azadi march current analytics". Dawn.
- ^ a b "Woman journalist crushed to death under PTI's long march container". Dunya News. 30 October 2022. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
- ^ a b Bhandari, Shashwat (3 November 2022). "WATCH: Moment when Imran Khan was shot by gunman during rally in Pakistan's Wazirabad". indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ a b News Desk. "PTI Chairman Imran Khan Shot As Container Comes Under Attack". The Friday Times.
- ^ "Islamabad police book PTI protesters; arrest 3 including 2 women". 4 November 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Long march sets off for 'Haqeeqi Azadi'". The Express Tribune (newspaper). 28 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
- ^ "Kaptaan marches again: What next?". The Express Tribune. October 28, 2022.
- ^ "Live updates: All eyes on PTI's long march as Imran seeks snap polls". www.thenews.com.pk.
- ^ "Pakistan's former PM Imran Khan announces march on capital". www.aljazeera.com.
- ^ a b "PTI's Azadi March to kick off today". The Express Tribune. October 28, 2022.
- ^ Bukhari, Mubasher (2022-10-30). "Pakistani journalist crushed by Imran Khan's truck during coverage". Reuters. Retrieved 2022-10-31.
- ^ "Imran visits deceased journalist Sadaf Naeem's family". The Express Tribune. 2022-10-31. Retrieved 2022-10-31.
- ^ "Updates: Imran Khan Injured After Firing At His Rally, Gunman Arrested". NDTV.com. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ a b Marsi, Federica. "Former Pakistani PM Imran Khan shot and wounded at rally". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ Video | Watch: Imran Khan Shooter Seen On Camera With Gun, retrieved 3 November 2022
- ^ Shah, Saeed. "Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan Shot in Leg at Protest Rally". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
- ^ "Pakistan ex-PM Imran Khan shot and wounded at protest march". BBC News. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.