KARACHI, Oct 27 (INP):After ending nearly inflexible negotiations with the government on Sunday, the opposition’s anti-government long march being called as ‘Azadi March’ will begin today from Karachi where the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) has already finalised arrangements.

The caravan lead by Maulana Fazlur Rehman will proceed to the Super Highway (M9) after smaller demonstrations will depart from the city's six districts and gather at Sohrab Goth, a statement from the party said.

The Azadi March will officially begin "after an address by Maulana Fazl at Sohrab Goth" to show solidarity with the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir.

A large number of buses and other vehicles have been hired to transport the participants of Azadi March. A senior party member said that the number of buses had already crossed 400.

The firebrand politician will be given every facility in his container so he could address the rallies at different points during the march. Sources told that several workers of the JUI-F were being arrested from different cities.

According to a no objection certificate (NOC) issued by the office of the deputy commissioner of Karachi’s East zone, permission has been granted to JUI-F leader Maulana Fatehullah, for the party to hold a rally adjacent to Super Highway, near Total petrol pump in Sohrab Goth.

On late Saturday, the government and the opposition’s Rehbar Committee struck a deal after entering into tough talks and breaking the earlier deadlock.

According to the terms and conditions of the Azadi March, the protesters will not enter into Islamabad’s Red Zone and instead will culminate their demonstration in H-9 area in Sunday bazaar grounds.

During a press conference after talks, government’s negotiation committee head and Defence Minister Pervez Khattak recalled Prime Minister Imran Khan’s promise that the participants will see no obstacles from the government as long as the protest is peaceful.

According to the agreement, the government will not stand in the protesters’ way and neither will the participants face any difficulty in getting food delivered.

Importantly, the participants will not be allowed to venture far from the designated venue, whereas the responsibility of the internal security will lie with the organisers.

The leaders further pointed out that in case of a violation of the terms and conditions, and damage to lives or property, the relevant action as per the law will be taken.

The local administration in Islamabad has yesterday placed containers and barricades ahead of the march.

Thousands of policemen have been tasked to prepare for any untoward situation and maintain law and order situation in the capital city. Police had held a drill to perform anti-riot exercises and learnt how to use water cannons to disperse protesters.

Effective security measures have been formulated for the safeguarding Faizabad Interchange and other entry points, including Rawat and Tarnol.

A two-layer security ring has been created around the Red Zone for security of government buildings. Hundreds of containers had been placed at the roadsides and greenbelts to use them in case need arise.

INP/AJ