The government on Wednesday decided to let the opposition's 'Azadi March' protest

in Islamabad proceed as long as parameters laid out by courts for lawful protest
are not breached.

The decision was made after a team delegated to negotiate with the opposition
presented its recommendations to the prime minister.

It was decided during the meeting that "the Government, with its firm belief in
upholding democratic ideals, would allow the proposed Azadi March, if it takes
place within the ambit of law and the Constitution as interpreted in the decisions
of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and Islamabad High Court," a brief statement
issued by the Prime Minister's Office said.

"The prime minister believes in the democratic right to protest," a spokesperson

for Prime Minister House had earlier told DawnNewsTV.

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The protesters will be allowed to carry out the march as long as the everyday life
of citizens is not adversely affected, in accordance with the past judgements of
the Supreme Court and the high court.

The news broke amidst reports that the Islamabad police was issuing riot gear and
mobilising containers to cordon off sensitive areas of the capital city to prevent
protesters from marching on to the Red Zone.

'Azadi' March
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had announced in June that his party had decided
to hold an anti-government long march to Islamabad in the month of October in a bid
to topple the government, which he sad had come to power through "fake" elections.

The Maulana had first set October 27 as the date for the long march, but later
deferred it till October 31, saying they would instead organise rallies on October
27 to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir, who would be observing a black
day all over the world against Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir on that day.

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday had constituted a seven-member team under
Defence Minister Pervez Khattak to engage the JUI-F and other opposition parties
ahead of their planned march. The JUI-F chief on Satur�day had given a go-ahead to
his party�s secretary general and Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri to meet the
Senate chairman, who, as a member of the government negotiating team, had contacted
him over telephone and sought a meeting.

On Sunday, after the PPP objected to the negotiations, Rehman had stopped his
party's delegation from meeting Sanjrani, saying a decision on talks with the
government would now be made by the opposition�s collective Rehbar Committee.

On Monday, after a meeting of the Rehbar Committee, JUI-F leader Akram Durrani told
the media that the option of negotiations with the government is subject to the
party being permitted to take out a peaceful 'Azadi March' on October 27.